Non-Fiction Writing

Based on feedback from last event, we are bringing back a Part 2 of this event! How do we really know that our vaccines don't have microchips? How do we know that GMOs won't change our DNA? Just because big brother said "trust me bro"? Excessive scientific distrust is harmful, but we are also often powerless in front of it. One can only call flat-earthers "stupid" so many times. Is it possible that we had the wrong science communication approach this whole time? In this session, we will be reading and discussing Prof Gabrile Contessa's paper on Philosophy of Science, "It Takes a Village to Trust Science: Towards a (Thoroughly) Social Approach to Public Trust in Science". Read the paper or the summary provided in advance if you have time, or we can read the summary together in the first 20 minutes. The rest of the session will be reserved for structured and guided discussion. All we ask is that you bring an open and curious mind. Full paper (estimated reading time = 50-90 min): [https://classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-files/hps/contessa-trust.pdf](https://classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-files/hps/contessa-trust.pdf) Summary (estimated reading time: 5 min): [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fnznzzUvDw9ZZUGdjI74wknKT7B74IeUfVJrwyftUbU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fnznzzUvDw9ZZUGdjI74wknKT7B74IeUfVJrwyftUbU/edit?usp=sharing)

On **Friday February 13th,** **join us for The Barber of Seville at The Canadian Opera Company.** What better tonic to the winter blues than a playful, irreverent comedy featuring Gioachino Rossini’s famously bright and exuberant melodies? Count Almaviva is hopelessly in love with Rosina, whose guardian Doctor Bartolo is keeping her locked inside their home. The Count hires Figaro, Seville’s famous barber and schemer, to help true love win the day—for a price. A wonderful introductory opera for audiences of all ages - a colourful production that evokes all the whimsy and wit of the circus, brimming with madcap costumes and outsized sets. My seat is Orchestra Ring, Row 4, Seat DD150. **Purchase The Barber of Seville on Friday February 13th at 7:30pm.** **LANGUAGE**: Sung in Italian with English and French SURTITLES™ **COST** Regular: $35 - $375 + fees Rush: A limited number of low-price tickets (limited to two per person) will be available for purchase online at coc.ca from 4 p.m. for evening performances using this [promo code](https://www.coc.ca/tickets/ticket-services/rush-tickets/index) before selecting your seats. They will also be available from 11 a.m. in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office at 145 Queen St. W. All rush ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded, exchanged or replaced. Standing Room: Approximately 60 are available in-person at 11 a.m. on the day of a performance for just $15! They are located in the back rows of Ring 3 (some may be SURTITLES™ obstructed) and Ring 4, each with a hook and a leaning rail; Meetup fee: $5 Ticket Policy: Sales are final and non-refundable. **SIGNING-UP** * **Simply RSVP Yes, [purchase](https://my.coc.ca/2371/2405?_gl=1*1ezzsis*_gcl_au*Nzk3Mjk1MTUyLjE3NjQ2OTE0OTU.) your ticket and post your seat number and I will move you to attending.** * If you plan to buy RUSH, please state that in your RSVP, so I can include you in the reminder so you have the opportunity to meet us. * RSVPs close 1 day prior, and cancellations after will result in a No Show and impact future attendance. * A reminder will go out the day before with my cell and details when to meet, etc. ‐‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **MEETUP TIME** **Meet me for dinner at: 5:30pm at The Keg at 165 York St.** **Meet me at: 7:15pm** **along the right glass wall, after scanning your tickets and entering The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 145 Queen St. W.** **Start time: 7:30pm** Length: 3 hours (incl. an intermission) Enjoy and please post your Comments after!

Contact Alex for location and information.

Please contact event host, Christopher, for the event location at christopher.tyrrell@ymail.com

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/unionville-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

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!

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

\*\***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!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Get your history fix with this special double tour. It combines both U of T and historic Yorkville in one shot. On March 15, 1827, a royal charter was issued by King George IV, for the establishment of King's College. The charter was the result of the efforts of John Strachan, the Anglican Bishop of Toronto, the College's first president. King's College was a religious institution tied to the Church of England and the Family Compact. In 1849, the newly elected government of Canada voted to rename the College, University of Toronto and broke with the church. Strachan resigned to open Trinity College as a private seminary. University College was created as a branch of University of Toronto. During the American Civil War, the threat of Union blockade prompted the creation of the University Rifle Corps, which saw action against the Fenians on the Niagara border in 1866. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Bloor, and William Botsford Jarvis, the Village of Yorkville was muddy York's northern residential suburb. With historic establishments like The Red Lion Inn, Yorkville Town Hall or even the fierce political radical William Lyon Mackenzie, it was here that notoriety was achieved, in Yorkville itself. Omnibus horse drawn streetcar service started in 1849 to connect the old St. Lawrence Market in Toronto with Yorkville, and by 1853, the population of the village had reached 1,000 residents. By the 1870s, Potter's Field, a cemetery stretching west of Yonge Street at Bloor Street was closed, and the remains moved to other area cemeteries. Yorkville was growing fast, and soon Toronto was ready to pull the neighbourhood into its orbit. On February 1, 1883, Yorkville's name changed officially. It was now known as St. Paul's Ward! This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. The extensive walking tour begins at the Queen's Park SUBWAY Station at the **southwest corner** of University Avenue and College Street adjacent to the Tim Horton's at the corner. The walk ends at the Toronto Reference Library at Yonge Street and Asquith. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\***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!\*\*** \*\* **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** Danforth Road was named for Asa Danforth, who built segments of Queen Street and Kingston Road. Work commenced in 1799 on Danforth's Road a hundred-mile route from Scarborough to the Trent River, and completed in 1801, but soon was replaced by the 1817 Kingston Road stagecoach route. Most early maps of Toronto referred to Danforth as a Concession Line Road. Originally Danforth Avenue connected Toronto to Danforth Road. It was built by the Don and Danforth Road Company in 1851 to Broadview Avenue, and Kingston Road. Danforth is home to Toronto's Greek community, known as Greektown or as it was once known - Little Athens. The walking tour begins outside Broadview Subway Station Parkette 769 Broadview Ave across from the subway station on the east side of Broadview Avenue. We end at the Pape Subway Station! Hope to see your there! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **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**

\*\*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.

\*\***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!\*\*** \*\* **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** **This tour is hosted by the most evil creature that ever walked the earth, Jack the Ripper. This is his event so tread lightly if you know what is good for you. Friday the 13th! One day only, one event! Need I say more!** Haunted Toronto. Indeed. Scary stories of old York. Bloody York. Murder and mayhem. And at this time of year, Friday the 13th, when the chill cools the blood, stories of the truly brutal come out. And this walk is like no other. Tales of hauntings from the U of T, Hospital Row, and the Financial District make this a spooky event for all. Come and enjoy the walk, if you survive that is! This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. This walking tour begins at the Queen's Park SUBWAY Station at the southwest corner of University Avenue and College Street in front of the **Tim Horton's Cafe.** This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **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**

It's better when we're together. Come and experience the power of the WHM with a wonderful group of people. We breathe, we go into the cold and we teach our bodies to heat up properly. We develop resilience and the mindset to use these powerful healing tools over and over again, all year round. This gathering is fully guided by Wim Hof instructor Steve Beattie. If you are new to this, come on down, enjoy the support and practice in a safe way with us. If you already have a WHM practice this meetup is a great way to take it to the next level, and make lots of new friends. There will be a fire, snacks and drinks shared by other attendees. We have been doing this 6 for years! **What to bring?** * Yoga mat * Weather-appropriate clothing (better to dress too warm!) * Bathing suite, towel * Water shoes (optional) In extreme weather being prepared is very important. Especially if it's your first time, please read up on how to come prepared [here.](https://www.breathinginnature.com/wim-hof-method-meetup/) Learn more about our Wim Hof meetups, workshops, breath classes, wilderness trips, medicine work and special events at **[Breathing in Nature](https://breathinginnature.com/)**. Join the "**[Wim Hof Toronto](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714218015474146/)**" group on Facebook to see all of our local events. This is a free event made possible by our Gift Economy. You can learn more about the Gift Economy [here](https://breathinginnature.com/gift-economy/).

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

This meeting will be an open discussion about the book "an Immense World" by Ed Yong

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do 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 noon on Sundays. 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: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. 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, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

Let's check out a Popular Astronomy and Science Based Film at COSI Science Center on their HUGE 360 Degree 4K Spherical Dome Screen Theater, in which is touring the nation and has already sold over 10,000 tickets! COSI is one of the leading Science Centers in America. Alan Watts was one of the Most Influential Amateur Astronomers of the 20th Century and held fascinating views of the Galaxy. Tickets are only $33 plus a small fee and taxes and can be purchased here: [Trust the Universe: Immersive Dome Show](https://www.sphericalpictures.com/tickets) PLEASE purchase tickets for the 8:15 PM Feature on Friday, February 13. There seem to be at least 10 tickets left, possibly more. We should be able to sit together in the same row or at least in the general section. This is an exciting chance to view actual footage of the Solar System on a Large 4k Resolution Screen plus added in Cosmological and Astronomical Related Philosophy! We will plan on meeting at about 7:50 PM by the Atomic Cafe on the first Floor of COSI, where the Movie Theater is located, in order to give us time before the show starts to purchase refreshments. Parking is available at the COSI Garage and in the area on side streets and adjacent garages. We can also walk somewhere in the area and get food afterwards, if anyone wants to do so. Thanks and hope to see you come out!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do 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 10AM on Saturday mornings. 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: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. 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, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Thursdays just got smarter (and sassier). 🧠🍻 Join us at TownHall Short North for Trivia Night with Marquis—where the questions are fun, the competition is friendly, and the vibes are immaculate. Grab your crew, sip something good, and prove you know random facts you absolutely shouldn’t.