World of Darkness

**Bootmakers Meeting:** **SHERLOCK HOLMES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION** **and Blue Carbuncle Awards** Happy new year everyone! We will start off our first meeting of the year by celebrating **Sherlock Holmes' 172nd Birthday** (January 6, 1854\*). Our guest speaker is the renowned author and editor, **Leslie S. Klinger**, considered to be the world's foremost authority on Sherlock Holmes. Klinger’s work has received numerous awards and nominations, including the Edgar® for Best Critical-Biographical Book in 2005 for *The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Short Stories*, the Edgar® for Best Critical-Biographical Book in 2019 for *Classic American Crime Fiction of the 1920s* and the Anthony and Silver Falchion awards for Best Anthology in 2015 for *In the Company of Sherlock Holmes* (co-edited with Laurie R. King). His introductions and essays have appeared in numerous books, graphic novels, academic journals, newspapers, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and Playboy Magazine; he also reviews books for the Los Angeles Times. He was the technical advisor for Warner Bros. on the film *Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows*(2011) and served (without credit) in that role for Warner Bros.’ earlier hit *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), technical advisor for Legendary Films for the two *Enola Holmes* films, and most recently, technical consultant for CBS-TV for the new series *Watson*. He has also consulted on a number of novels, comic books, and graphic novels featuring Holmes and Dracula. He will be. presenting to The Bootmakers on the topic of **Sherlock Holmes Chronology**. **Mike Ranieri (aka Meyers)** has prepared a special presentation to honour this year's **Blue Carbuncle Award** winners! **I'll begin to let people in about 10 minutes before the meeting starts at 12:50 PM ET.** **Note: Please make sure you MUTE yourself while our guests are speaking!** * **Mike Ranieri,** *Meyers* \* P.S. [Why January 6, 1854 is the birthday of Sherlock Holmes?](https://torontobootmakers.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d5c926cacc84609a39e7e72a&id=cd7e56e589&e=f7d58f69d1) Go to [Bootmakers Calendar](https://www.torontobootmakers.com/calendar/) and click on the meeting name for more information and the Zoom Link.

Bring any piece of music in any form. We'll deconstruct it's musical elements and share with each other what the music evokes and what insights arise. Then, consider how this musical work fits into the broader world of music and sound. After a break well do a musical exercise together and end with a short slent meditation. Advance registration with pay pal $20. Please call Gary to confirm your registration. 647 292 5415 Generosity policy: limited spots available for no or low charge fir those who need it.

**Advanced Speakers on the Hill (ASotH)** is proud to be a ***premier club*** operating in the best Toastmasters tradition of providing a supportive and positive program that empowers its members to achieve greater self-confidence and personal growth. **To become a better communicator and leader,** you need warm and supportive people to help you along your way. This is where ASotH excels because we’re a club packed with committed and experienced Toastmasters. **One way in which we help each other to grow is by means of thorough speech evaluations.** In most Toastmasters clubs, each speech receives a 2-3 minute evaluation – end of story. Here your speech will be evaluated for fifteen minutes, which includes input and discussion from among *all* the members present. Imagine how much you can benefit, even when you are not the speech maker. You will hear a detailed evaluation and listen to what other members think. You will then have the opportunity to add your thoughts to the evaluation circle. And, since the speaker’s prime evaluator is also evaluated, you will learn how to improve your own evaluations. All this occurs in a typically supportive and fun atmosphere. **ASotH Club meetings are held on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays of each month.** Visitors are most welcome, so drop by and experience the **ASotH advantage** first-hand! ***Our meetings are now in-person at Bayview Hill Community Center. Details can be found [here](https://advancedspeakersonthehill.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html).*** **Membership Eligibility:** You must have completed Level 2 in Pathways, or the first ten speeches in the Toastmasters Competent Communication Legacy manual in order to join our advanced club. Hope to see you soon!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** We have an amazing "Lecture on the Go" series for 2026. New topics and fascinating stories abound! Join us and learn about the world and keep active and warm during the winter months! I started this walking classroom when we were under that horrible cloud called Covid. This series was popular and helped people get out and back into society and life. The series is back for 2026 with 6 new topics for exploration over the winter and spring months. The "Lecture on the Go" Series is open only to members who have purchased the YEARLY MEMBERSHIP PASS, it's free for those members. If you wish to attend a lecture and you are not a yearly pass member then the price **per** lecture is $20.00. This first lecture is focussed on the Global Arms Trade. How safe are we in a world of lies and corruption where the almighty dollar rules over life and death itself. You would be surprised at the hidden secrets I have found during my research, and how arms are bought and sold in the international market. How money is laundered offshore, and brought back for school programs and senior centres. All these needed programs come from the trade in not only guns, but also in weapons of mass destruction. In a business, and it's a business, which consumes trillions of dollars of taxpayer's money, and results in war and destruction all in the name of money and power. You will never view this world the same again. This topic is timely and fascinating to anyone who is interested in where money comes from, and where it goes when it leaves our pockets. Hope to see you there! Topics upcoming in the 2026 series of lectures are as follows. \*The Global Arms Trade (January 31) \*Dante; The Hidden Meaning Behind The Divine Comedy (February 28) \*The 250 Year History of Encyclopedia Britannica: From Print to Digital (March 28) \*Hidden Wonders of Canada; Northern Ontario History and Guide (April 25) \*Philosophy 1: Great Minds of the Western World: Goethe to Kant! (May 30) \*Philosophy 2: Great Minds of the Eastern World: Chuang Tzu to Dalai Lama (June 20) This is the first event in the "Lecture on the Go," series for 2026! Hope to see you on this "Lecture on the Go!" So book your plans now! This event is for all levels and walkers, there are a few steps here and there to navigate, but mostly on one level. Mainly this event in a non walking event. The lecture begins on the steps of Old City Hall at the northeast corner of Bay Street and Queen Street West. This lecture event has a ticket price of $20.00 per person, and is **free with the yearly membership pass**. Hope to see you there! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Meet Up Point: It's a full moon and what better way to celebrate with a night hike under the light of the moon! We hiked here last week and it is beautiful. Come dressed in lots of winter gear, icers, gators and night light. We will try to use the light of the moon but bring a light just in case. Bring snacks and water and come and join and amazing hike in the dark!

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

Workshop Highlights:** - Step-by-step guidance on traditional mud and mirror techniques - Create two stunning 6-inch Lippan art pieces to take home - Expert instruction from a seasoned artisan - All materials provided. text @ 437-607-3673 for more info.

【College Park food court is closed again, so we change the location to the food court in Aura Concourse（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON）, near the College Station.】 I am helping organize a mandarin-english language exchange downtown. If you want to improve your Mandarin/English, feel free to come by downtown and meet others to practise your language. There will be native Mandarin and English speakers to help you! Or you can share your language skills with others! Every Sunday 3:00pm-5:00pm Aura Concourse（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON) [ Please find a table with "meetup" label (like the Featured photo).] [ Usually in front of the pharmacy ] —————————————— 大家好： 【College Park的food court又给封了，所以我们把活动地点换到了 Aura Concourse的food court（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON），靠近College Station。】 我正在组织一场中英文交流活动。如果你想提高你的普通话或者英语，那就快来参加吧！你可以在这里认识很多母语为普通话或者英语的新朋友！他们都非常乐于帮你提高你的中英文表达能力！也欢迎你同我们一起分享你的语言技巧! 谢谢! 每周日 3:00pm-5:00pm Aura Concourse food court（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON） 【请找到一张桌子，桌上有张纸，写着“Meetup”。】 【位置通常在药房前面】 ———————————————— 大家好： 【College Park的food court又給封了，所以我們把活動地點換到了Aura Concourse的food court（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON），靠近College 】 我正在組織一場中英文交流活動。如果你想提高你的國語或者英語，那就快來參加吧！你可以在這裡認識很多母語為國語或者英語的新朋友！他們都非常樂於幫你提高你的中英文表達能力！也歡迎你同我們一起分享你的語言技巧！ 謝謝! 每週日 3:00pm-5:00pm Aura Concourse food court（384 Yonge St., Toronto, ON） 【請找到一張桌子，桌上有張紙，寫著“Meetup”】 【位置通常會在藥房前面】

Golf courses are not just for golf. In winter, city-owned courses become cross-country skiing and snowshoeing territory. Detonia Park is one of them and is also the closest to a subway station. There's also good food nearby. After romping through the golf course, we'll head west to another potentially snow-covered field. Then, it's on to Little Bangladesh along Danforth Avenue, where you can check out Bengali supermarkets and snacks. The hike ends at a Bangladeshi restaurant. This event depends on snow. If there is heavy snowfall, you can ski or showshoe the golf course portion of the hike. Walking in the snow loops is not recommended. If you must, wear muck boots and traction aids. If there is no snow and ice, we'll just walk. After the golf course, the rest of the route is on foot. **Highlights** 1. Detonia Park Golf Course car park (depart 12pm) 2. Golf turf blanketed in snow (or barren and grey) 3. Crescent Town 4. Shohid Minar 5. Adi Bikrampur Sweets (depart 1:05pm) 6. Bangladeshi supermarkets 7. Shaad Restaurant (arrive 1:30pm) **Neighbourhoods** Oakridge > Crescent Town > Taylor-Massey **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1R8N6ptm1qIdtmkzPiAEmsWPcezgN68w&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1R8N6ptm1qIdtmkzPiAEmsWPcezgN68w&usp=sharing) Free admission to golf course in winter. **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

Come join us at the lovely, well-lit, and cozy Theatre Centre Cafe for an hour and a half of silent writing (on whatever writing projects you will)! After silent writing is done, feel free to stay and chat or go as you please. If you are late you are welcome to join us (quietly and not disruptively). Please note this is a casual event, and we will NOT be critiquing each other’s work. **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: #TheTheatreCentre (no password, open access) Travel / Parking info: There is paid street parking as well as Green P underground parking located at 45 Abell St (2 mins walk from the venue) . Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

Hello everyone, Please join me and my other groups for a great evening of Mix, Mingling, Movie and beverages before as we get ourselves ready to see a great movie. Including a pre-movie mix and mingle, ice-breaker in the cool (V.I.P lounge) \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a great turn out ***\*Meet me and the others right outside the box office beside the air hockey and arcade games)* (8:00 pm to 8:20 pm)** Kindly read the details carefully below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **Saturday Night at the Movies!** **(HAMNET) (Saturday, January 31st)** -A great night to mix, mingle, make new friends and go see a great movie; than hang out after for a little conversation over a cold or hot beverage. **ABOUT FILM: HAMNET** William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, celebrate the birth of their son, Hamnet. However, when tragedy strikes and Hamnet dies at a young age, it inspires Shakespeare to write his timeless masterpiece "Hamlet." \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Event Fee:** for Mix and Mingle (before and after film; and the planning of the event) 4 dollars by e transfer in advance to steveflemming11@gmail.com or 5 dollars day of event ( by cash or e transfer) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- (Movie fee- separate) (Movie choice is optional but encouraged that we all see the same film suggested) **Where and When to Find Us?** **Location:** **(Inside Yonge & Eglinton Centre)** 2300 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4 **(We will meet out front of box office beside the air hockey table and arcade)** (Simply walk up the steps from the outside and come into the Centre- turn left and we will be waiting right there) **Arrive between 8:00 pm and 8:20 pm** (We will head to the V.I.P. lounge for a beverage before heading to see the film) **Parking and Close to the Yonge and Eglinton subway** (Lots of parking in the area and 2 minute walk from the subway)

\*\*NOTE: This meetup currently lacks a regular host. (The current hosts are volunteers for online organizational purposes; they show up in person occasionally.) If you arrive and there is no host, don’t worry. Whoever is the longest-running member (or whoever wants to) can set the timer for the writing session. In this way, the meetup is self-sustaining, and not dependent on any one person. Thanks for your understanding.\*\* Join us for an hour of quiet writing, followed by an hour of (optional) socializing. \*\*SILENT WRITING BEGINS AT 1:15 PM. IF YOU'RE LATE, WELCOME! WE WILL IGNORE YOU (BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY WRITING) UNTIL 2:15 PM.\*\* This meetup is open to everyone, whether you’re writing a novel, blog, class paper, or journal entry—or something completely different. Anyone interested is welcome to attend :) LOCATION: 5 Elements Cafe, basement level RSVP: Please be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. We recommend coming down to the basement to grab a spot before you buy anything, just in case. SCHEDULE: 1:00 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chill/leave. Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

This month we’ll be reading Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

Let’s meet and discuss whatever comes to mind about one of Tennesse Williams’ most famous plays.

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Join us as we get together for something dark, humorous, twisted, violent and thrilling: SEND HELP! Rachael McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star in this film that follows a worker and her boss stranded on an island following a plane crash and their attempts to survive. Here are details, trailer and a plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Two office colleagues find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. They must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it is an unsettling and darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. The film is directed by Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead franchise, the Toby Maguire Spider-Man trilogy) and stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE PLAN: Details for this event have already been confirmed! Please purchase your ticket for the 7:15pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 6:45 and 7:00pm! Tickets just $5.50 and advance purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below! Pre-show bite at nearby El Vaquero at 5:30pm! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan