Blogging Groups Toronto

The Bloom Collective (TBC)

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman #TBC 1

Let's write!

Bring a phone, but a computer with internet and AI is probably going to collide headfirst with those drawing from personal experiences and real-life anecdotes. Expect that pretty much every single one of these will not be known to any AI in any way shape or form, unless someone is secretly uploading everyone's life, minute by minute. Wait! I'm ahead of myself. That's an idea for a story, novel, drama or movie.

Model Mondays - Spotlight On Model router in Microsoft Foundry

AI agents rarely rely on a single model to solve every task. In this episode of Model Mondays, we'll explore how model router helps developers apply a hill-climbing approach to agent development by continuously finding better models for different steps in a workflow. Learn how to evaluate models, compare performance across providers and model families, and dynamically route requests to the model best suited for each task. Through discussions and demos, we'll show how model router helps agents improve quality, efficiency, and cost by treating model selection as an ongoing optimization process rather than a one-time decision. *** * [Explore the Resources](https://github.com/microsoft/model-mondays) * [Read the Newsletter](https://aka.ms/model-mondays/newsletter) * [Continue the conversation on the Discord](https://aka.ms/model-mondays/discord)

Saturday Writing Meetup – near Bloor-Yonge

\*\*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.

Waterfront Walk to Sunnyside Beach! 9KM

### 🌊 Waterfront Walk to Sunnyside Beach Looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the city? Join us for a scenic walk along Toronto’s beautiful waterfront as we make our way to **Sunnyside Beach** — one of the oldest and most charming beaches in the city! This is a **flat, beginner-friendly walk**, perfect for anyone wanting to stretch their legs, meet new people, and soak up some lakeside vibes. Just be prepared to keep pace with the group — we walk at a steady but social speed! 📲 **Join Our WhatsApp Group:**[ Click here to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRFTkxRlHS4B3IL1lMleUd) *** ### 📍 Meetup Details: **Meetup Time:** 11:00am ⏳ *We’ll wait 5 minutes before heading out.* **Meetup Location:** In front of the **BeaverTails Red Building** by the waterfront. Look for **Mathew in his signature Moose Hat** — you can’t miss it! **End Point:** **Sunnyside Beach**, where we’ll stop to rest, snack, chat, and enjoy the waterfront. *** ### 💵 Meetup Fee: **$5 cash in person** or **E-transfer** to: 📧 **mathewmaclean@hotmail.com** (*This helps support the group and keeps events going!*) *** ### 🧺 What to Expect: * * A fun and social waterfront walk from the Harbourfront to Sunnyside Beach * Time to relax by the water, have lunch, and hang out * Bring **something small to share** (cookies, fruit, trail mix, etc.) * Stay as long or as little as you like – your schedule, your pace! *** ### 🧳 What to Bring: ✅ Water ✅ Comfortable walking shoes ✅ A snack and **something to share** ✅ Sunscreen or a hat (optional but recommended) *** ### ✅ A Few Reminders: * You’re welcome to just **show up day-of**, even if you haven’t RSVPed. * This group is for **anyone looking to be social, make friends, or just get out of the house**—whether you're single, partnered, new to the city, or a local explorer. * Sometimes things happen, and events may need to be cancelled last minute — please keep an eye on your messages! *** 👋 **Mathew** is the organizer for this event. If you have questions, feel free to: 📩 Post a message on the event wall 📧 Or email: **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com**

umap enhanced clustering

Open Mic: Part XVIII

**Toronto Writers Community** is having an Open Mic event on August 28 @ the **Tranzac Club** (**292 Brunswick Ave**). Let's make it count for our 18th Open Mic. Summer draws to a close, though we still have many warm days ahead of us. This is a time for creativity as we prepare for the next season. Please let me know either here on Meetup or through [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/torontowriterscommunity/) or the night of, if you would like to present. We can't wait to see you! **Be at the 18th Open Mic on August 28.** Bring a friend (or many friends) and get ready for a night of sharing work and taking in the talent that Toronto has to offer. Feel free to read or to come and listen. Meet new people, get inspired. **416** 6:30pm, ends at 9:30pm Friday, August 28, 2026. TRANZAC CLUB - 292 Brunswick Ave Hope to see you there! As always, the event is free, but a donation bowl will be present. An extra thanks to the [Alexandra Writers Centre Society, our sponsor. They make these Open Mics in Toronto possible.

Hand Free: Snap → Polish → Post /Turn One Quick Photo Into Gallery-Ready Content

If you sell or post anything, you know the friction: it looks great in person, but the photo falls flat — so you don't post, or you post something mediocre. Restaurants, people clearing inventory, car sales, creators — same problem, same lost momentum. In this session we'll show you what's genuinely possible now, where it fits you as a solo worker, and what it would take to put it to work in yours. We'll be using Claude Code & Cowork, and it'll be demo-led — I'll show you how I do it. If you want to follow along, please install Claude Code beforehand. You'll see how these tools figure things out for you and go beyond chatbots and conversation-based interaction. Essentially, you'll be building your own autonomous agent. Wanna know more? Contact the host!

Photography Walk: Sunset @ Biidaasige Park West (Cherry St. & Commissioners St.)

Testing Craftsmanship Evolving in the Age of AI | Toronto Meetup

**Testing Craftsmanship Evolving in the Age of AI \| Toronto Meetup** AI isn't replacing testers, it's reshaping what testing craftsmanship means. After two decades of watching the discipline evolve, one thing has stayed constant: the testers who win are the ones who keep growing their judgment, not just their tool stack. Join The Test Tribe's 15th Toronto Meetup for a deep, honest look at where testing craftsmanship is headed as AI reshapes the role, and what still can't be automated away. **Event Details** ● Date: 26 August 2026 ● Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET ● Venue: [20 Toronto St, Toronto, ON M5C 2B8, Canada](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WUfTxyU1LuVJfX1Y6) **What's on the Agenda?** **Testing Craftsmanship Evolving in the Age of AI** **Speaker: Jacky Zhang, Test Architect, General Motors** Drawing on two decades of hands-on experience in automation, computer vision, OCR, and large-language-model experimentation, Jacky traces how testing craftsmanship has evolved through major technology shifts, and argues that AI is the next transformation, not a total disruption. He'll unpack the real barriers to AI adoption in testing, hallucination, limited generalization, compliance constraints, infrastructure cost, and unclear ROI, and make the case that lasting testing value still depends on stable engineering foundations, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of quality goals and human needs. **How This Meetup Solves Your Problem** If your team is being asked to "adopt AI in testing" without a clear picture of what that actually means day to day, this session cuts through the hype. Jacky offers a grounded, practitioner's view of where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and how testers can evolve from script executors into quality strategists, knowledge architects, and human-centered risk explorers. **Why You Should Show Up** * Understand which testing foundations remain essential even as AI capabilities grow. * Get a clear-eyed view of AI's real barriers: hallucination, generalization, compliance, cost, and ROI. * Learn how to reframe your own role as AI reshapes what "testing" means. * Meet fellow testers, automation engineers, and QA leaders from Toronto's testing community. **Become a Speaker at The Test Tribe events** Wish to share your insights with the community at a future event? Submit your talk idea [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8xebmOBD2WYXwGKWj7GteY-tMLaj-aZzQk88MAsE0LUiMUQ/viewform) and our team will get back to you, if the idea resonates with them too. **About The Test Tribe** The Test Tribe is the world's largest software testing community, empowering testers globally since 2018. With 700+ events and 150K+ members across 130+ countries, we bring testers together to learn, grow, and connect through meetups, conferences, cohorts, masterclasses, and more. By RSVPing, you agree to our [Terms and Conditions](https://www.thetesttribe.com/website-terms-conditions/) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.thetesttribe.com/our-privacy-policy/) and consent to be contacted by The Test Tribe and our event partners.

Toronto Founders and Entrepreneurs Networking at 5 Elements Espresso Bar

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

Make Friends at a Cafe - Good Chats App BETA

**GoodChats.** . **Newest Way to Make Friends in Toronto!** . Ever walked into a coffee shop and wished you knew the people around you? That’s exactly what GoodChats is for. . Our Coffee Chat events are designed to make meeting new people feel natural — no awkward intros, no swiping, no pressure. Just real conversations with people who already share your interests. **How it works:** . **1) Sign up on iOS or Android** Download the GoodChats app to get started. . Use the code **COFFEE** to sign-up for the invite-only app today! [https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp](https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp) . **2) Start a chat about what you like** Talk about anything you’re into — hobbies, ideas, random thoughts. The app builds your profile based on what you actually care about. . **3) Join a Coffee Chat** We match you with a small group of people who share similar interests and invite you to a local coffee shop meetup. That’s it — just show up, grab a drink, and talk. . **What to expect:** * Small groups (so it’s actually easy to connect) * Weekly events at local coffee shops * A relaxed, low-pressure environment * People you’re genuinely likely to vibe with . **Good to know:** * Events are **completely free** * All event details and invites are inside the GoodChats app * We’re currently in **beta**, with new Coffee Chats happening every week Use the code **COFFEE** to sign-up for the invite-only app today! [https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp](https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp) . If you’ve ever wanted meeting new people to feel easier (and more real)… this is for you.