Squash

🎱 **New Year, New Events, TBC Tuesday Socials Are Back for 2026!** 🎉 Kick off **2026** by getting out of the house, meeting new people, and enjoying a relaxed night of pool with **Toronto Billiards Club** at **Shoxs**. This Tuesday evening social is all about **good vibes, community, and accessible pool**. Whether you are brand new to the game or have years of experience, you will feel comfortable here. **What to expect:** ✅ friendly, inclusive, and welcoming social atmosphere ✅ beginners welcome ✅ instruction and guidance from TBC hosts ✅ casual pool games, conversation, drinks, and food ✅ no pressure, no leagues, no egos if you have ever thought *“I want to play pool but don’t know where to start”* or *“I don’t want to walk into a pool hall by myself”* this event is made for you. many of our regulars first showed up solo. 💬 **First time attending?** Our hosts will introduce you, help you get a game going, and make sure you are comfortable throughout the night. 💵 **Event Fee:** $15 per person Payable by cash or e-transfer (dean@tbcpool.org) Please contact the event organizer if you have payment questions 📋 **House Rules:** All attendees are expected to follow TBC Meetup Rules during the event. If you have questions about rules, fees, or the format, feel free to message an organizer. 👉 **Call to action:** Bring a friend or come solo. show up curious. Leave with new connections and more confidence at the table. See you Tuesday and welcome to the TBC community! **TBC Admin**

*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

Play some beach and meet cool people

No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker Cash Games!

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/toronto-ON/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Women only community center dropin. 1. Please show up on time if you sign up. 2. Please don’t bring your friend to watch if they don’t play. Spectators are not allowed in the gym. 3. If you find out that you can’t make it after sign up, please edit your RSVP so that it can be freed to waitlist participants.

**🎾 Novice Pickleball Mixer at the Miles Nadal JCC** Looking to level up your game in a fun, social setting? Join our *Novice Pickleball Mixer* — designed for players at the 2.0–2.5 level! Build your skills, meet fellow pickleball enthusiasts, and better understand your playing level — all in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Don’t miss your chance to join this active and friendly group. Whether you’re ready to commit to the full season or just want to drop in and try it out, we’ve got flexible options! *** **🏓 Event Details** 📍 **Location:** Miles Nadal JCC — 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through Spadina doors) 📅 **Spots are open in upcoming sessions — jump in anytime!** 💻 **Registration is required in advance** > **Please note:** RSVP'ing on Meetup does **not** reserve your spot. > 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=xELKp9O) > ☎️ Or call 416-924-6211 *** **🎟️ Fees** * **Early Bird Discount:** Save 10% when you register by **December 15, 2025** * **Full Session Registration:** Available (with prorated rates if you join after the start date) *** **🏆 What to Expect** ✔️ Weekly round-robin format ✔️ Facilitated by a knowledgeable pickleball instructor ✔️ Rotate through a variety of opponents to gain experience ✔️ Fun, friendly competition ✔️ Paddles and balls provided (or bring your own) ✔️ A social, supportive environment for improving your game *** **Who Should Join?** This mixer is ideal for **experienced beginner players** (2.0–2.5) who already know the **basic rules, scoring, and court positioning**, and are looking to improve in a structured, social environment. **Note:** This is *not* a learn-to-play session. Participants should have **prior Pickleball experience** and be comfortable rallying, serving, and keeping score. If you’re brand new to the game, we recommend starting with our **Intro to Pickleball clinic or course**. *** **🎉 Come ready to rally, compete, and connect! We can’t wait to see you on the court.**

Eventbrite Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769789610447?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769789610447?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Saturday night sizzles with top-tier laughs! Join us at 10PM for Toronto's premier stand-up comedy showcase. An unforgettable weekend awaits** Elevate your Saturday nights with Toronto's comedy elite! Join us at 10 PM for a captivating showcase at Backroom Comedy Club. Experience an evening of top-tier stand-up, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Reserve your seat now for the ultimate weekend entertainment!

**🎾 Intro to Pickleball Clinic at the Miles Nadal JCC — No Experience Needed!** Curious about Pickleball but not sure where to start? This fun and beginner-friendly clinic is the perfect way to learn the basics and get on the court — no prior experience required! Our **Intro to Pickleball Clinic** will guide you through the fundamentals of the game in a **small-group setting**, with lots of playtime and supportive coaching. Whether you're new to racquet sports or just new to Pickleball, you'll leave feeling confident, capable, and ready to rally. *** **🏓 What You’ll Learn:** * Basic rules, scoring, and court positioning * How to serve, volley, and rally * Intro to doubles play and beginner strategy *** **📍 Location:** Miles Nadal JCC — 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through Spadina doors) **👥 Format:** Small group instruction led by a friendly, knowledgeable coach **🎾 Equipment:** Paddles and balls are provided (or bring your own) *** **📅 Registration Required in Advance** RSVP'ing on Meetup **does not reserve your spot**. 👉[Register here](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=kMQOBp0) ☎️ Or call 416-924-6211 **Spaces are limited** to ensure personalized instruction — register early! *** **🧡 Why Join?** * A welcoming, low-pressure space to try something new * Meet fellow beginners and have fun while learning * A great first step before joining our Beginner Mixer or Drop-Ins! *** Whether you're looking to try something new, stay active, or meet new people — Pickleball is the perfect game. We’ll get you started the right way!

Forget Dry January, it's February 1 somewhere! Hogtown Hash House Harriers (HH3) is a Toronto social running and beer drinking group, with runs happening every other Saturday, plus one Thursday and one Friday per month. We start at different locations across the city, run as a group, and typically end at a local pub where we continue to socialize. Expect plenty of laughs, songs, quirky traditions, and a beer stop or two along the way. Walkers and non-beer drinkers are also welcome! HH3’s Saturday run is typically 5-8 km, with a shorter trail for walkers. Meet and greet is at 3pm to start run around 3:30pm. Date / Time: Saturday January 31 @ 3pm Start location: Great Lakes Brew Pub\*, [11 Lower Jarvis](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BL7n4LHXvWbR3S7R7) Nearest TTC stop: Ferry Docks stop, Harbourfront streetcar Cost: $10 for drinkers, $2 for non-drinkers, paid at start of trail. \*Note from the hare: This is not the Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke - don't go there! Additional note: Most of our regular members do not use Meetup, so you can expect to meet more people than those who RSVPd here.

**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=xYXzRdJ)** 📞 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 **intermediate players and above** — participants should have a solid understanding of Pickleball rules, scoring, and gameplay, and be comfortable with consistent rallies and court positioning * 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!

CHANGED to WEDNESDAYS COLUMBUS RECREATION CENTERS require membership fee to play. Register & Pay at the desk when you arrive. $5 day pass is available. I have some extra pickle ball paddles and balls if you don’t have one. Definitely bring your own paddle if you have one and bring some balls if you have them. Legal Stuff: The event hosts/Organizers are just fellow member volunteers. By participating in any event, you assume all risks of liability and injury inherent in these activities. You are responsible for your own safety and for determining if you are in condition fit to participate. You are also responsible for knowing and abiding by all laws and rules during your participation in any event.
 Photos & or Video: by attending these events you acknowledge photos and or video may be taken and used on this and other platforms.

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

## Learn Infrastructure-as-Code (the FUN Way) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: Azure CBUS × Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. ### What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time ### Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐 Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

**Caller: Dan Kappus** **Band: Trillium** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!