Web Mapping

40.6 km cherry blossom ride from Pioneer Village to Union Station Via Humber River Trail and High Park Route Map: https://www.komoot.com/tour/2821848844

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-navigation-26)** **Navigation isn’t a lost art - it’s a life-saving skill. Whether you’re exploring remote backcountry or just trying to orient yourself on a trail, knowing how to read the land can make all the difference.** Join us for this *one-day navigation workshop,* which will equip you with the skills needed for safe and confident adventures. **Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.** **Morning: Theory** We’ll start with hot beverages and a hands-on classroom session where you’ll learn: * Why maps still matter in a GPS world * How to read a topo map and visualize the land * What contours tell you about your route (and your legs) * How to orient yourself when you’re turned around * Compass skills that could save your life **Afternoon: Practice** After a quick lunch, the real fun begins. With only a map, compass, and your brain, you’ll work in teams to complete a real-world navigation challenge. Each team gets a unique course and a grid reference sheet to plot and follow. Fastest (and most accurate) team earns top bragging rights as Wilderness Union’s best navigators. You’ll build and follow a route card, learn to trust your instincts, and develop the kind of confidence that only comes with practice. **Your Instructor:** Former Canadian Army Advanced Reconnaissance Instructor, Captain Buckingham is a decorated Pathfinder and the Canadian Infantry School’s top navigation instructor, he’ll guide you every step of the way. **Who It’s For:** This course is for beginners and intermediate explorers alike. No military mindset required—just curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a love of getting outside. This is an amazing opportunity not only to learn from a world-class expert but it's a fun, practical lesson at a uniquely low price. **About this series:** The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable, and life-saving skills in the wilderness. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses that become available. **Due to the cost of parking at Bronte Creek, WU transport is recommended for this course.** **Highlights** **Expert Instruction -** Our amazing expert guides will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and fun way. **Practical Skills -** Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild. ‍**Local Adventure -** Just 45 minutes from Toronto, this adventure is close to home for anyone living in the GTA. **Event cost: $80+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-navigation-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

World Premiere-- *Ticket link is below*. $30-$72 (look at the seating map--and your age!) In 2035, a decade after the Trinity Bellwoods Collapse, an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a young girl leads to a very peculiar house that has sunk into the earth. **Could a strangely luminous painting** unlock long-buried secrets of what flowed beneath the home? Howling winds, storms, and the ever-present sound of cicadas remind us that nothing stays buried. ***cicadas*** is a modern eco-thriller from the minds of Governor General’s Award and Siminovitch Prize laureate David Yee and award-winning composer Chris Thornborrow that serves as both mystery and warning. Directed by Nina Lee Aquino https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/nina-lee-aquino **Ticket link here: (Sunday May 10th)** https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/2025-2026/cicadas/ (Play around with the seating map, and ticket prices. Any seat is a great seat--even the last row!)

Nordheimer ravine is relatively short but as with other midtown ravines like Cedarvale, it's well-used and surrounded by moneyed neighbourhoods. There are spectacular vantage points in the surrounding parks. This neighbourhood also has popular attractions like Wychwood Barns, Casa Loma, Spadina Museum, and a bunch of murals. I hope you like hills because there will be several of them. This hike is sandwiched by restaurant rows at St Clair Ave W and Dupont St. There isn't any standout cuisine but Dupont is home to a mini-empire of Middle Eastern restaurants. On St Clair Ave W are some of the best upper mid-range restaurants in Toronto for Italian, North Indian, and Persian cuisine. And possibly one of the best gelaterias in the city. There will be long lines at Bar Ape so come earlier if you want to get gelato there. **Highlights** 1. Bar Ape Gelato (depart 2:30 pm) 2. Pura Vida / Baker and Scone 3. Pink Ice Cream 4. Sea Witch / JABS 5. Wychwood Barns (depart 2:55 pm) 6. Hillcrest Park 7. Tollkeepers' Cottage 8. High Level Pumping Station 9. Nordheimer Ravine 10. St Clair Subway Station, south side of St Clair Ave W (depart 3:55 pm) 11. Sir Winston Churchill Park 12. Casa Loma (outside) 13. Spadina Museum (depart 4:35 pm) 14. The Backyard Smokehouse / Euphoria Cake 15. Roti Cuisine Of India (arrive 4:55 pm) **Neighbourhoods** Wychwood > Casa Loma > The Annex **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16joz8-VYsQ8lr155TDonvYdkgl70iwI&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16joz8-VYsQ8lr155TDonvYdkgl70iwI&usp=sharing) Uphill and downhill at Hillcrest Park, Nordheimer Ravine. Stairs at Winston Churchill Park and Casa Loma. **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to [globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.](http://globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.) No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

MEETUP LOCATION: Tim Hortons 1170 Bay St, Toronto, ON We will be meeting at a Tim Hortons on Bay street, on the corner of Bay and Bloor. The Tim Hortons is right next to the TD Bank building. (map (https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1170+Bay+St%2C+Toronto%2C+ON%2C+ca)) Get off on Bay subway station, walk out from the Bay street entrance and walk south on Bay until you see the TD bank building, Tim Hortons is right next to it. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/0/3/3/600_456525107.jpeg Event information: This will be our inauguration event, so come out and play some GO. If you have board and stones bring it to this event. If you don't know how to play you can just come out and learn from people that do know how to play. Board & Stones: If you have Board and Stones please bring it to our event. GO Apps on iPad and Android tablets will be fine as well. No Show: We are a new group and with so few members please honour your RSVP, or change your RVSP to NO so we don't have to wait or look for you. Meetup Fee: There will be a $1.00 Meetup fee to help me pay for this group.

## Details Our hike leader is Gadi Prager From the website... * [TommyThompson](https://www.hphc.ca/TommyThompson01.html) \-\- description of hike with driving instructions * [Schedule Spring 2025](https://www.hphc.ca/schedule.html) * [What to Bring](https://www.hphc.ca/WhatToBring.html) \-\- on a hike * [Hiking Etiquette](https://www.hphc.ca/HikeEtiquette.html) * [Taking Photos](https://www.hphc.ca/Photos.html) * [Après Hike](https://www.hphc.ca/ApresHike.html) Hello Hikers (and those currently questioning our identity), This coming Sunday, May 10th, we are trading our vertical inclines for horizontal velocity. We’re "walking" more than "hiking." What’s up with that, you ask? Think of it as a strategic recovery mission at a brisk pace. We’re tackling the Leslie St. Spit, formally known as Tommy Thompson Park. Fun fact: Tommy is world-renowned for the phrase “Please Walk on the Grass,” so feel free to rebel by staying on the path—or don’t. He’d want you to live your best life. **The Mission** This is a classic 11 km out-and-back journey to the lighthouse. It’s paved, level, and straighter than a ruler, with unpaved "finger trails" for those who have an itch for the scenic route. Navigation Warning: It is virtually impossible to get lost unless you decide to swim to St. Catharines or the Island Airport. If you plan on stowing away in the cargo hold of a jet to the Caribbean, please let me know by the 5 km mark so we don’t count you as "missing." **The Scenery** Far from a boring stroll, the views are spectacular—pure "Kodak moment" territory for the shutterbugs among us. As a nature reserve, the park is teeming with locals, including Marty the Mink. You’ll have Lake Ontario on one side and the iconic Toronto skyline on the other. It’s basically a 360-degree flex. **The Details** Runners: You are more than welcome to "Run, Forrest, Run" ahead of us. Trail runners are a solid choice if you want to explore the grit. Meeting Time: 10:00 AM sharp at the park entrance. Cost: $0.00. Free parking, free entrance, priceless memories. Transport: Carpooling is available for those who prefer to be chauffeured in style. "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams" (though you’ll have to provide your own Grey Poupon). Supplies: Bring water and lunch. Marty the Mink does not share his snacks. **Location**: 1-3 Leslie St. Toronto, ON M4M 3M9 The views for this walk are truly unbe-leaf-able. (Sorry, I had to). Looking forward to seeing everyone out there! Gadi Prager

Join us for a relaxed Sunday afternoon of pickleball + classic table games. Play pickleball for $5. Email money transfer to monasalahuddin@hotmail.com While waiting for court time, enjoy FREE access to: 🏓 Table tennis (ping pong) 🎱 Billiards / pool tables 🎯 Other table games available at the venue No standing around. No awkward downtime. Always something to play.

We’re heading to Kensington Market for a mix of vintage finds and tabletop strategy. Sunday, May 10th at 1:00 pm. Limited to 15 people. First, we’ll meet up to explore a thrift stores around the market. Afterward, we’ll make our way over to Harmony Cafe for some board games. I shall update with the list of games. You are free to bring your own as well. 1:00 PM: Meet at the Thrift store. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/zgm3LGXJ34nSybzb7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/zgm3LGXJ34nSybzb7) 1:45 PM: Head to Harmony Cafe for board games. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/BHPNJcftkxCR5dfC7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BHPNJcftkxCR5dfC7) There is a cost of the meetup $5. To keep up with the meetup app platform subscription and Harmony cafe for hosting us. Pay using the link below or cash. (Please get in touch with me for cash as I need to keep track of the count to save you a spot) [https://buy.stripe.com/14A14o1u3bEoaSS6JGcAo00](https://buy.stripe.com/14A14o1u3bEoaSS6JGcAo00) This event is limited to 15 people. Its a cozy cafe. See you there! Games list. If you are brining a game, please let me know I'll update the list. 1. UNO 2. ⁠CHESS 3. ⁠MONOPOLY 4. ⁠NEVER HAVE I EVER 5. ⁠ABSURD BOX 6. ⁠PLAYING CARDS 7. ⁠the game of life 8. ⁠guess who 9. Stock exchange

You will learn the basics, forehand, backhand, volley, serve and smash. Eventually, can move into games playing doubles. The fee includes balls, water and use of the court. The court is at a private residence near Bayview and Lawrence and the address will be disclosed in our group chatroom. Please dm your number to me to add to our group chat. Hope we get many people out to have fun learning the basics of tennis.

🎨🏙️ **GRADEX 111 – OCAD UNIVERSITY ART EXHIBITION & SOCIA**L 🏙️🎨 Emerging Artists, Creative Energy & A Cultural Hangout If you want to feel inspired, this is the kind of event that does it. Join us for GradEx 111 at OCAD University — Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition, featuring work from over 800 graduating artists and designers. This is a chance to step into the next wave of creativity — exploring everything from painting and photography to design, installation, and experimental work, all in one space. It’s vibrant, it’s varied, and there’s always something that catches you off guard in the best way. This is not a formal tour. It’s a social outing — come explore, react, and experience it together. 👉 📲 **Join Our WhatsApp Group:**[ Click here to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRFTkxRlHS4B3IL1lMleUd) \*\*\* 🚶‍♂️ **What We’ll Do** We’ll meet outside and head into the exhibition together, spending about 1.5–2 hours exploring the different displays across the building. You’ll have time to move at your own pace, take it all in, and check out the wide range of disciplines on display. **There’s also:** 🎓 Student work available for purchase 🏅 A special medal-winning exhibition in the Great Hall 🛋️ An alumni lounge space Afterward, we’ll head out to find a nearby spot for drinks or food and keep the conversation going. You’re welcome to join or head out whenever you like. \*\*\* 🎨 Vibe & Expectations This is a relaxed, low-pressure event — no art expertise needed. Just: ✔️ Curiosity ✔️ Openness ✔️ A willingness to explore Also — this is NOT a guided tour. It’s about experiencing the exhibition in your own way, while being part of a social group. \*\*\* 🧢 Meetup Details 📍 Meetup Location: Corner of Dundas St W & McCaul St (AGO side) 🫎 I’ll be wearing my Moose Hat ⏰ Meetup Time: 11:00 AM I will only wait 5 minutes. Early is on time. On time is late. We’ll head in promptly. End Point: Back at the starting location \*\*\* 🎟️ Meetup Fee: $5 cash in person or e-transfer to 📧 \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) The exhibition itself is free. This fee helps support the group and allows us to keep hosting events like this. Thank you for supporting community! 💖 \*\*\* 🎒 **What to Bring** Water Comfortable shoes (we’ll be on our feet) Curiosity and an open mind 🎨 Optional: cash/card for food & drinks afterward \*\*\* 🌈 **Who Is This For?** This group is open to anyone who wants to be social and make friends — whether single or not. **We also host:** 🎬 Movies 🚶 Walks & hikes 🎭 Arts & culture outings 🍽️ Restaurant gatherings There’s always something happening. \*\*\* **REMEMBER:** You’re welcome to just show up on the day if you’re unsure about your schedule. And as always, sometimes plans shift and events may need to be canceled — please keep an eye on updates. \*\*\* 👤 Organizer: Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email 📧 [torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com](mailto:torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com) Come for the art. Stay for the conversation. Leave feeling inspired by what people are creating right now. 🎨✨11

Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik

Exciting things are happening tonight 🎉 Our **AWS Student Builder Group** is hosting a workshop: **Simple Ways to Integrate AWS Technologies Into Your Hackathon Project** and you're not going to want to miss it. We'll be walking through AWS Cognito, DynamoDB, Amazon S3, and AWS Amplify. Come build something great with us and walk away with the skills to win 🚀

**Total Eclipse of the Chart: School Redistricting Dashboards** In this presentation, we will explore the utilization of maps, sets, and SQL within a Tableau dashboard to help provide “what-if” analyses generated through the use of a mapped dashboard, providing different scenarios and the potential implications of these. While in this use case we are focused on a large school district, the concepts of utilizing existing data to explore the future impacts of modifying different geographic boundaries can be useful to many industries, balancing the mix of maps with visual analytics. **About Our Speaker** Robert Kramer is the Data Systems and State Reporting Coordinator at South Western City Schools in Grove City. He has worked there for 17 years, serving previously in the roles of Data Analyst, Programmer, and Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at South Western, he worked as a Systems Engineer at Pinnacle Data Systems in Groveport. He graduated in 2005 from The University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. Robert resides in Obetz with his wife, and their 15 and 12 year-old daughters. He was also just elected to his 3rd four-year term on the Obetz City Council. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**TBA**

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

**TBA**

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**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.

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month John Lairson will share a notebook describing the Alpaca (Paper) Trading API and discuss different algorithms for evaluating stock trades. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com