Property Developing

Practice and improve your English through conversation at St. Andrew's Church in downtown Toronto, while making new friends! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **How to Get to the Event**: By TTC, exit at St. Andrew Station. Walk west on King St. West to Simcoe St. 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, turn south and walk on Simcoe St. Enter through **St. Andrew Centre**, behind the church building. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have feedback, suggestions, or concerns about our program and events, please feel free to use our **[feedback form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp9OY0GJULxQILkqa06zZEU0Fkh4jxMjvE36uaVizaK6dBGw/viewform?usp=header)**!

**Come workout, have fun, relieve your stress, and meet your fellow neighbours!** Welcoming interested people to join our FREE classes every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30PM-4:30PM near Bathurst/Lake Shore area. Classes are led by our event organizer, Master **Dave Crook**, a seasoned 4th degree black belt Hapkido practitioner from a respected academy with many years of experience in this art and various others. **About this form of martial arts:** Hapkido is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks. **How to join:** Join this group/event and directly message me with your interest. **Q: Is this completely FREE?** A: Yes, classes/lessons are completely FREE **Q: Do I require a gi/uniform to participate?** A: Gi is completely optional, only required when doing groundwork grappling/throw techniques **Q: Are there grading and belt progression?** A: Yes, there are grading and belts, which will cost $30 just to cover the cost, testing will done when YOU are comfortable and ready! **Current Martial Artists Belt Status:** 1x Masters - 4th Degree Black Belt 1x Yellow Belt (former red belt) 1x Yellow Stripe Belt 134x White Belts **Belt Colours - Progression in Descending Order:** * White Belt * Yellow Stripe Belt * Yellow Belt * Orange Stripe Belt * Orange Belt * Green Stripe Belt * Green Belt * Blue Stripe Belt * Blue Belt * Red Stripe Belt * Red Belt * Black Stripe Belt * Black Belt **Curriculum of Techniques** **White Belt to Yellow Stripe:** **Strikes (all strikes from left wrist grab, striking with right)** 1\. Sword Strike to Clavicle 2\. Nunchuk Strike to Temple 3\. Companion Sword Strike with Elbow Strike to Solar Plexus 4\. Spear Hand to Femoral Artery 5\. Palm Strike to Floating Rib 6\. Spear Hand to Trachea **Breakaways (all breakaways from right wrist grab)** 1\. Latissimus Dorsi push with bucking back fist 2\. When pulled with bucking back fist 3\. When pushed with bucking back fist 4\. Downward break away with elbow strike 5\. Live\-hand tricept push up with elbow strike 6\. Assisted tricept push\-up with elbow strike **Take Downs (performed both sides)** 1\. Pivot throw Joint Locks (all joint locks from right wrist grab) 1\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 2\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 45 degrees 3\. One inch bow 4\. Side wrist lock \- bend elbow 5\. Side elbow lock 6\. Elbow lock controlled **Escapes From Mounted Position (all from opponent on mount position - performed both sides)** 1\. Escape to Mount 2\. Escape to Guard 3\. As punches are received \- buck \- single arm hook \- roll 4\. As punches are received \- buck \- shoulder walk \- two arm hook \- guard 5\. Escape when head is locked 6\. Escape when head is locked with high mount **Kicks (both sides)** 1\. Side kick **To learn more about Hwa Won Yue Hapkido visit our website here:** http://www.hapkidohwawonyue.ca/toronto.html#

***Tickets must be purchased in advance!*** 🔗: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-hottest-e-commerce-amazon-entrepreneurs-networking-event-tickets-1988792622270 Connect with Toronto’s top E-commerce & Amazon Entrepreneurs to create collaborations and partenrships Dress Code: Business Causal **Toronto’s Hottest E-commerce & Amazon Entrepreneurs Networking Event** Stellar Socials by Limitless invites you to an unforgettable evening of networking, collaboration, and opportunity. This event is designed for founders, E-commerce innovators, and Amazon entrepreneurs ready to connect, share insights, and spark growth in one of the fastest-growing business sectors. Whether you’re building a thriving Amazon store, scaling a Shopify brand, or seeking new partnerships and distribution channels, this social mixer is your chance to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry leaders in a stylish, energetic setting. ### **👥 Who Should Attend** 🛒 **Amazon Sellers & FBA Entrepreneurs** 🛍️ **E-commerce Store Owners & D2C Founders** 📦 **CPG & Product-Based Brand Builders** 📈 **Investors & Business Professionals in Retail & Consumer Markets** 💡 **Startup Innovators & Growth Hackers** 🤝 **Marketing, Branding & Digital Agencies** 🏬 **Retail Buyers & Distribution Partners** ### **🚀 Why Attend** ✅ Connect with **e-commerce and Amazon entrepreneurs** ✅ Explore **retail, distribution, and collaboration opportunities** ✅ Gain insights on **consumer trends and digital growth strategies** ✅ Get your brand noticed by **investors and industry professionals** ### **✨ The Stellar Socials Experience** At **Stellar Socials by Limitless**, we curate **high-energy, premium networking events** that bring together ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Our mission is simple: **inspire growth through meaningful connections.** This event is a **relaxed yet engaging social mixer** — no forced pitches, no pressure, just genuine conversations. Whether you arrive solo or with your team, you’ll leave with **valuable contacts, new perspectives, and potential partnerships** to elevate your business. ### 📲 Join Our Community Instagram: **@stellarsocialsbylimitless** Facebook: **Stellar Socials by Limitless** TikTok: **@stellar.socials**

**Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come play one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for friendly, active Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. It’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and have some fun! *** **🏓 Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive. *** **🏓 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** **RSVP on Meetup does *not* reserve your spot.** To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance via our registration system. 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=bN72APE) 📞 Or register by phone: 416-924-6211 Space is limited to **18 players** on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. *** **🏓 Other Info:** * Paddles and balls are available for loan at the front desk with a **$20 cash deposit and valid ID** * This session is intended for **novice players and above** — participants should know basic rules and scoring * Courts are rotated regularly so everyone gets a chance to play * Welcoming, inclusive environment *** Come ready to rally, socialize, and have a great time on the court. We can’t wait to see you there!

St. Timothy's is excited to offer support to newcomers in Canada. Our goal is to provide conversational language practice through informal instruction and feedback in a welcoming and diverse community. We invite all new immigrants, English language students, visitors to Canada, parents of children temporarily attending schools in Toronto, foreign university students, and anyone looking to enhance their language skills. We aim to build community where friendships can flourish, in order to help participants establish meaningful connections, learn about life in Toronto, and access practical resources as you settle in to this new city and country. We begin every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with a time to socialize and connect. Our formal program begins at 10:30 a.m., and each week we will have different activities and topics, including practicing English conversation, reading short articles, learning about common pronunciation and grammar mistakes made by ESL speakers, etc. Our volunteers would love to get to know you and offer gentle and constructive feedback to help you improve your English! We also offer Individual career mentoring, including job search, mock job interviews, and helping you improve your resumes and cover letters.

This month's dance is BACHATA! Come join the fun and add this fabulous latin dance to your repertoire. Some dance experience is recommended for this class as we will be putting fun combinations together to create some great routines for you to take out on the floor. We know you'll love it:) Come on your own or with a partner. Everyone will get a chance to dance! Tuesdays at 6:15pm 4 weeks only $89+tx pp Christ First Church Auditorium - 1700 Mazo Cresc Mississauga, ON For more info or to register info@comedancing.ca or 647-609-3933

**Learn to see the system, not just the problem** ​Complex challenges rarely live in one place; they span teams, touchpoints, and invisible connections. ​This session is a hands-on introduction to systemic design: an approach that combines systems thinking and design to help us better understand and work within complexity. In this interactive, learning-by-doing session, you’ll explore how systems thinking and design come together to tackle complex organizational challenges. Instead of jumping straight to solutions, we’ll step back to see the bigger picture - uncovering relationships, identifying patterns, and finding leverage points where thoughtful design can create meaningful impact. ​You’ll work through a practical case, collaborate with others, and leave with new ways of thinking about problems that don’t have simple answers. **👉 To secure your spot, please register via [Luma](https://luma.com/lqfccdiw):** https://luma.com/lqfccdiw (*Meetup RSVPs don’t guarantee a seat*) ​**What you’ll learn** * ​Core principles of systemic design (interconnectedness, leverage points, human-centered thinking) * ​How to map systems and uncover underlying dynamics * ​How to identify patterns and opportunities for intervention * ​How to move from complexity → clarity → action ​**Who this is for** * ​Designers who are tired of surface-level problem solving * ​People who jump to solutions (you know who you are) * ​Anyone curious about how ideas *actually* come together * ​Professionals who want to nerd out, experiment, and learn by doing ​ ​**Format** ​This is a **hands-on workshop**, not a lecture. Come ready to participate, think visually, and collaborate with others. We’ll have pizza and pop — come hungry :) ​ **Agenda** ​5:30 – 6:00 pm \| Arrival \+ settle in ​6:00 – 7:30 pm \| Workshop session ​7:30 pm onwards \| Stay back and connect **Location** ​Career Centre Lounge (Room 287), Rotman School of Management ​105 St. George Street, Toronto ​**In collaboration with Rotman’s Business Design Initiative (BDI)** ​Led by [Emma Aiken-Klar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-jo-aiken-klar-phd/?utm_source=luma), with Service Design Drinks Toronto ([Shivika Sood](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivika-sood/?utm_source=luma)), this session explores systemic design in a hands-on, practical way. [Service Design Drinks Toronto ](https://linkedin.com/company/sddtoronto?utm_source=luma)is a community of practice - a space to learn, experiment, and connect through service design in an open, accessible way.

### The Hip Haus presents: [Professionals Networking Event](https://thehiphaus.com "https://thehiphaus.com")! Hosted at Soluna ### \*\*\*\* What is The Hip Haus? \*\*\*\*The Hip Haus is an organization that exists to empower young and experienced professionals alike in the GTA and help the growth of local business. As professionals (especially post pandemic world) it is sometimes difficult to network with other like minded individuals, get good career advice or simply make connections with others you may be able to help or get help from. The Hip Haus is committed to providing social gatherings in an atmosphere where such networking can take place. \*\*\*\* Who Should Attend? \*\*\*\*The Hip Haus events are ***19+***. The focus however is the growth and development of professionals in the GTA. It doesn’t matter if you are a business owner, have a job, are looking for a job, recently graduated university/college, still in university/college, looking for others to launch a new idea or just want to meet other professionals, our events are for you. Remember that Industry is Industry. One is not better than the other to The Hip Haus. We are expecting a diverse range of industry professionals. Our events in clude professionals from Tech & AI to Entrepreneurs, Musicians, Artists, Bankers, I.T Professionals, Accountants, Investors, Advertising/Marketing Professionals, Bloggers, Authors, Lawyers, Doctors, Dentists (This List Can Clearly Go On). ALL ARE WELCOME! \*\*\*\* What to Expect at Our Events? \*\*\*\*Bring Business cards or have your LinkedIn QR code at the ready. Networking! That is the key to these events. Sure it can be a great place to hang out and have a beer with a few friends but it is important to come with an open mind to meet new people and make new connections. Build your network of friends/colleagues/advisors to help yourself as well as them. The Hip Haus wants the professionals of the GTA to come together to help foster personal and professional development. \*\*\*\* Dress Code! \*\*\*\*This is a tricky one. There is NO strict dress code but remember this; you are meeting professionals in an informal manner and we all know first impressions last forever. Come dressed in a way that would allow you to be comfortable and professional according to your industry. Consider This…would a professional musician/artist necessarily dress the same as an investment banker at work? Be who you are or who you want to be. #YoungProfessionalsNetworking #ProfessionalsNetworking #EntrepreneurNetworking #FounderEvents #FounderNetworking #AINetworkingToronto #TechNetworkingEvents #YoungProfessionalsAI #EntrepreneursAI #AIandTechToronto #NetworkingEventsGTA #IssabellsToronto **\*\* Let's Get Social!\*\*** WEB: [www.thehiphaus.com](http://www.thehiphaus.com/ "http://www.thehiphaus.com/") [INSTAGRAM](m/thehiphaus/ "m/thehiphaus/") \| [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/thehiphaus "https://www.facebook.com/thehiphaus") \| [TWITTER](https://twitter.com/thehiphaus "https://twitter.com/thehiphaus")

When code becomes commoditized, what actually gets protected? RSVP Link - [https://luma.com/0ktn86g3](https://luma.com/0ktn86g3) This is an in-person panel discussion hosted at a Dipchand Law office, bringing together experts from legal, AI, and strategy domains to explore how intellectual property is evolving in the age of AI-assisted development and “vibe coding.” **Why this matters:** AI tools are rapidly commoditizing software development. The barrier to building products is dropping, shifting the focus from writing code to owning ideas, data, and systems. This creates new challenges around ownership, licensing, and long-term defensibility. **Key discussion areas:** * Whether code still holds value as intellectual property * Ownership of AI-generated code and outputs * What developers and companies should protect beyond code (data, workflows, architecture) * Enterprise risks including compliance, governance, and data exposure * How organizations build defensibility when building becomes easy **Speakers:** **Stephano Salani** Intellectual Property Lawyer, Dipchand LLP **Yulia Pavlova, PhD** Applied AI and Governance Leader, RBC Borealis AI **Mohit Rajhans** AI Consultant, ThinkStart.ca **Event details:** Date: May 20, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT Location: Dipchand LLP Office, Toronto, ON **What to expect:** Panel discussion, networking, and Q&A session **RSVP** - [https://luma.com/0ktn86g3](https://luma.com/0ktn86g3)

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

This is the second walk in a new series of small meetups in Toronto — feel free to join, whether this is your first time or you came to the previous one. **If you are on a Waitlist** Please feel free to still join. I have a free meet-up account, which limits me to 10 people sign up. **Meeting Plan** We’ll meet just outside the main entrance of Rosedale Subway Station at street level (I’ll be standing near the exit and easy to spot), and walk & chat through Rosedale onto the ravine trails toward Evergreen Brick Works, finishing with a coffee or a stroll through the farmer's market (happens every Saturday at Brick Works until 1pm). Having done the first event, I might bring a very light structure or conversation prompts for our walk & chat part. The main idea behind these mini-series of walks is to be outdoors, be active, meet new people, and start your weekend on a positive note. **At Brick Works** Once we get to the Brick Works, some people might want to sit down together for a coffee, while others want to stroll around the farmer's market and get some food, and some want to do their own thing. This is very flexible. You might want to bring your own tea/coffee/drink as there are plenty of spaces to sit, sip and enjoy the day. The farmer's market is very nice, but the queues were quite long, and the options are somewhat limited. I might bring my own tea in a thermos this time. **Timing** • Meet: 11:00–11:10am at Rosedale Station (we will start walking at 11.10am) • Walk: \~40 minutes at an easy pace • Coffee or farmer's market: around midday at Brick Works If it rains heavily, I might have to cancel the walk. We can bring umbrellas if it sprinkles lightly and still enjoy the outdoors. If it rains heavily, I will update the invite in the morning of the event. I’ll be there to welcome everyone. Looking forward to meeting you.

Hello everyone, Please join us for a fabulous and unique evening as we get to experience all the great, powerful and inspiring music I have written over the years; now live in person! These are songs that I have written for well over 30 years. (I'll be playing many of my more recent songs and personal favorites) I trust you will truly love what you hear! \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a wonderful evening! **Location:** Smoke Show - 747 Mt. Pleasant Rd. https://www.smokeshowbbqandbrew.com/ **Date:** Sunday May 24th, 2026 **Time:** Arrive between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm (if you can) \*Arrive a bit early if you like to get settled in :) **Event Fee:** 10 dollar at the door or e transfer in advance to steveflemming11@gmail.com Event Details below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Songwriter, Lyricist and Host) Event Details: **Steve Flemming's Stories and Songs for Humanity (Dinner and Listening Party)** \*Original Lyrics and Songs by Songwriter and Producer Steve Flemming \*Story songs about love, nature, spirituality, life, loss and everything in between! I'll be playing a mix of songs using a fusion of mixed genres like, Folk, Traditional Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Soft Rock, Rock, Love Ballads, Easy Listening, Soul, R & B, Gospel, Pop, Adult Contemporary, Indie Rock; and many others genres too. **About Steve Flemming (Lyricist and Songwriter)** Highly influenced by the great singer songwriters of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Steve has been writing his own songs since 1990. Songs about life, love, loss, hope, faith, joy, romance, memories, spirituality and redemption. Songs that are universal, heartfelt and often relevant to the lives we lead. **-Arrive any time between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm inside the Restaurant (reserved seating is provided for the group :)** \*Arrive a bit early if you like to get settled in :) **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (cash only) when you arrive (HST is included) or e transfer in advance to [Steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://Steveflemming11@gmail.com/) (One Beverage or Appetizer minimum please to support the venue and staff) (Plan to come for dinner if you can) \*If attending the 3:00 pm Nature Walk that day there will be no additional entrance fee for this Listening Party event :) (1 minute walk from the new Mt. Pleasant & Eglinton station)

Let’s do some coding together at a cafe! No more working alone in the weekend. Here, we write code together. And I mean together together. Not occupying-the-same-space-but-separate together. Here’s how it works: Jennifer brings her mobile app project, tells everyone that it is like Pinterest for recipes and she’d like to work on the nav bar. Paul and Chloe think Jennifer's project is fascinating, and they join the group. They gather around Jennifer’s laptop and work on the nav bar for 2 hours. Jennifer is the one typing out the code while Paul and Chloe research, brainstorm, and offer suggestions. If you’re feeling stuck on your own project or need a motivation boost, bring it to mob programming! Want to learn by watching how others code and solve problems? Join someone else’s project at this event! Oh and we love your half-done projects that you are a bit embarrassed to share. Absolutely bring those to the event! **Discord**: We use Discord to share screen & code snippets during the event. Also feel free to share your projects here before the event! https://discord.gg/xwjDdVSw3E **Event policy**: * We have 0 tolerance for harassment. * We don’t allow the projects that are not meant to be shared in public such as school assignments, interview tasks, or trade secrets. * The goal is to write code. We discourage you from pitching business ideas here, doing code reviews, or spending the whole event on planning what to do. * Please buy a drink, and tip the barista well.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-toronto-online-tickets-1975993203865?aff=meetup QUESTIONS ? Pls Reach out to; Rose - +971528033410 ( WhatsApp Only)

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our very 1st Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 1st event and are doing a soft launch with limited attendance. 1st come 1st serve. If you want to be there and we fill up, please email me at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) and I'll be in touch. All street parking is free on Sundays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at info@thecogg.com with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

**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** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

**Presenter:** Auri Rahimzadeh, Principal Software Architect, Momentum3 **Time:** Pizza at 6:00, Presentation Starts at 6:30pm Eastern **Location:** Theoris, 9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 230, Indianapolis Auri's been using AI a lot. Are you? Let's discuss how to be your most effective self by using AI in your development workflow. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

**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.