A Christmas shopper's dream come true

Get that list finished off any time you want. Really.

BEGINNING December 1st, Wal-Mart has announced that it will be keeping 80 of its retail stores opened 24 hrs for the holiday season, up until Christmas Eve. This is a significant increase from the 59 stores that were opened for the week prior to Christmas (Dec 18-24, 2006). This move by Wal-Mart may be a revolutionary idea, as some other stores may follow suit. This will be a definite boost in holiday shopping, as it may make Christmas shopping more convenient for the likes of us. Personally, I may be one of those people who will be taking advantage of this new ability to shop instead of sleep--I mean, Christmas only comes just once a year, afterall.

To find a location near you, visit http://www.walmart24hours.ca, which will be launched on December 5th.

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The 2007 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

Eat, drink and be merry

THIS past weekend, the Metro Convention Centre was host to the Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo. Exhibitors ranged from food suppliers to wineries, all displaying their best products and serving generous samples for all to experience. This year’s themed wine was Chilean—Chile boasts the healthiest grape-growing climates in the world, with little use for pesticides or other treatments—so it’s no wonder that it is becoming a growing sensation among wine enthusiasts around the globe.

For those of you who have never been to the Expo, in addition to your admission ticket, you can purchase sampling tickets, which are exchanged at any exhibit for a sample of what they have to offer. Admission includes a complimentary wine glass, which is used for sampling throughout the night, and let me tell you, these were the best kind of samples one could receive—my glass was happily filled up to 2 oz. or more each time for a mere one or two sample tickets (each ticket costs $1 and must be purchased in sheets of 10 minimum). For the expo-goers who are not as eager to sample the fine wine, spirits, and beers (crazy, I know), there was more than enough variety of food to tantalize your taste buds, satisfy your hunger—or fulfill temptation. I enjoyed samples from AquaStar’s breaded shrimp to plates of assorted cheeses, as well as free (yes, free!) samples of Nestea Green Tea and Marzetti’s Old Fashioned Caramel Apple Dip. If the alcohol and food was still not enough to keep you occupied, there were many other things for you to see at the expo. Contraptions made to keep your wine chilled while remaining stylish, wine fridges, and even wine glass holders which hang around your neck—allowing you to walk hands swinging—were all being showcased and sold on site. Basically, any and everything gourmet food and wine related could be found at the expo, so to ensure that there was lots to taste, see, and do. There were also many sessions being held on how to taste wine and pair it with appropriate foods. A special program that the expo hosts is called Tutored Tastings, which are lead by wine experts and celebs, such as Kevin Brauch, from The Tasty Traveller and Iron Chef America (both of which can be seen on The Food Network)—however these sessions are separate from your admission (but will include a free admission to the expo), and can be somewhat costly, but probably worth it if you are a dire wine fan or budding enthusiast.

Overall, a must-attend event in my books, I'll be back next year.

A live Chilean band keeps the crowd entertained throughout the event

Dance instructors leading some basic salsa steps to get the crowd up on their feet

The Fine Wine Tasting Lounge

They seem to love their ice sculptures...


Satisfied expo-goers all around

For more information, visit http://www.foodandwineshow.ca.

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Talk Is Cheap

A social media `unconference`

LAST night, over 200 [correction: just over 160] PR-inclined bodies attended the Talk Is Cheap unconference at Centennial College Centre for Creative Communication. The night was filled with insightful 20-minute seminars regarding new social media, its users, and its impacts. Speakers covered topics from the Do's and Don'ts of the industry to Social Media and its influence on Social Change.

Talk Is Cheap was organized and facilicated by Gary Schlee, sponsored by the IABC/Toronto, and featured a large handful of PR industry figures. It was a great night for networking and getting educated on new social media and changes that the industry has been going through in regards to forms of communication. What made it even better was that it was all free! Can't get any better than that.

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Third Tuesdays

`Meetup` & greetup

LAST night, I attended my very first Third Tuesdays meetup event, at Bar Wellington. Third Tuesdays is a free monthly Meetup event for people within the PR and advertising industry to attend, with the opportunity to learn more about the ever-evolving industries through speaker sessions, and to meet and mingle with others who share the same interests.

I arrived with my friend to a quaint little bar on the corner of Wellington and Portland, the top floor already buzzing with conversation. Not knowing what to expect, I sat quietly to the side and observed. There were many people in attendance, and it was pretty close quarters. Soon, we got approached by the organizer Joseph Thornley, and conversations sprouted amongst us and the other attendees continuously for the rest of the evening. I met some pretty interesting people, and even exchanged contacts (SIDE NOTE: if you've made your way onto my little blog site, I wonder if you noticed my little error on my card! Mistakes happen, right? Right? Ha ha!)

All in all, it was a very good evening, and I can definitely see a lot of potential in this group as a useful networking tool. I'm glad I found out about it, with me starting at Humber Lakeshore in January for the PR postgrad certificate program and all.

Time to browse my Meetup account for upcoming events to RSVP to!

One more note: there is a social media conference happening on November 15th, organized by Gary Schlee, a PR professor at Centennial College and a fellow Third Tuesdays member. For more information about this event and to attend, visit http://talkischeap.pbwiki.com/

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The Mighty Canadian Dollar

The bandwagon continues to get filled

hollywoodscoop.com

THE buzz on the Canadian vs. US dollar continues to grow. Model Giselle Bündchen has announced that she would prefer to sign contracts in any currency other than USD$--even CAD$! Times certainly have changed.

Giselle is estimated to be the world's highest paid model by Forbes magazine.

Source: MSN Sympatico Entertainment

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Petit Four Bakery

"Small oven"

TORONTO chef Gordon Mackie (famed to Soul of the Vine and Far Niente) has opened a "Dine and dash" concept cafe in the heart of the business district, which caters to the busy lifestyle of all around. This little bakery boasts always fresh and healthy food for people on-the-go, allowing for fast and affordable lunchtime dining for all those who call Bay St their home during the work week. A few tasty menu items include focaccia bread sandwiches in 4, 6, and 18-inches, hearty soups loaded into coffee cups, and signature Petit Four desserts that run for only $3 each! You have your choice of four different desserts, who would've guessed. You can even choose from several different combos, which allow for ample sampling of the menu, depending on your craving.

If you have been to Mackie's Soul of the Vine, then you will have no problem finding the bakery--they are sharing space--but if you are unfamiliar to the area, Petit Four Bakery is located at 187 Bay Street, Commerce Court South, Concourse Level. They also provide catering for any of you business professionals looking to impress at your next lunch meeting.

Bon a-petit!

Source: Sweetspot.ca

toronto.com

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$1CAD = $1.038USD

...as of 9A.M. ET today!

THE Canadian Dollar has been doing very well lately, surpassing the US Dollar and creating quite a stir throughout North America.

Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, has been working with retail industry representatives towards lower prices in stores to reflect the now stronger Canadian Dollar. So far, Zellers, and most recently Walmart, have agreed to slash prices.

"The Wal-Mart release cites a letter it sent to suppliers on Aug. 1, 2006, which noted that the strengthening currency provided "'unanticipated inflation of profit margins among our suppliers - and an opportunity to lower prices for Canadians.'"

However, Flaherty is continuing to pursue lower prices on a broader retail scale, in hopes that it will keep the Canadian Dollar on its native soil--with greater buying power, Canadians have been flocking to the States to shop, since price tags on Canadian merchandise has not changed, and the price difference on the tags between the Canadian and US prices is now making more evident the unfairness that we face.

Source:The Canadian Press
CBC.ca

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"A PEN IN ANOTHER CITY"

Another point on the scoreboard for Canadian accomplishments is made.

NOT only has she already achieved much fame from her writing works--which include novels and poetry--Margaret Atwood of Ottawa, Ontario, has created a marriage between the world of writing with technology. Atwood's LongPen technology has eliminated time and travel by allowing an author to attend book signings through cyberspace. Baffled? Let me explain. The LongPen is comprised of the use of a computer, a screen, an electronic writing tablet, a webcam, a mic, and a mechanical arm equipped with a real ink pen. At one end, the author can speak to, and see, his or her fan, and vice versa occurs on the other side. The author can then write a message or autorgraph on the writing tablet, and the mechanical arm (which is on location of the fan's side of the connection) will transmit exactly what was written, using a real ink pen!

This technology allows anyone to meet with anyone else for signings (not just for book authors--think hollywood and sports celebs as well) from the comfort of the signer's own home, eliminating the need for travel. Marketers of the LongPen boasts that this be a "Green" solution, reducing greenhouse gases from less plane travel. The LongPen technology also allows for more signings to occur in more locations, all in less time.

The most recent media coverage of the use of the LongPen was on Monday night at The World's Biggest Bookstore in Toronto, where Conrad Black was able to attend his book signing for "The Invincable Quest: the Life of Richard Milhous Nixon" from the comfort of his Florida home. If you would like to read media coverage of this event, visit CTV.ca Black uses Atwood's LongPen at virtual book signing.


Margaret Atwood demonstrates how the LongPen works.




See more of the LongPen in action.






For more information about Margaret Atwood, visit http://www.randomhouse.com/features/atwood/author.html
For the LongPen official website, visit http://www.longpen.com/index.html

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GORE SAVES BUSH

Saying 'thanks' on behalf of Mother Nature



VICE president for 8 years, Emmy and Oscar award-winner, and now a prestigious recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, Al Gore will be sharing his gold, $1.5 million, and award diploma with United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It's people like Gore who are such commendable figures in today's society, putting his political status to good use, and showing the world that his environmentalist position is one that he takes seriously.

Nobel committee chairman Ole Danbolt Mjoes speaks of Gore's work--"He became aware at an early stage of the climatic challenges the world is facing. His strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change. He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted."

Source: MTV.ca News

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"New beauty, new town, new love and new faces..."

Newport Harbor - The Real Orange County

TONIGHT was the season finale of the new twist on `Laguna Beach`--season four moved up the coast to `Newport Harbor`! With the introduction of new characters, this shift in geography was an attempt to boost ratings, after the third season of Laguna Beach wasn't well received. This new season lasted only 8 episodes, as compared to Laguna's 10+ episodes, with an increase in every season.

This year, we got to know people like Chrissy (lead character/narrator of the show.. think Lauren Conrad-like), whose super protective parents ruled her every social move; Allie, a confused teen trying to battle with the guy she always had but never truly will have; and Clay, the shy cutie who was Chrissy's object of affection... just to name a few. The storyline was very similar to previous seasons of Laguna Beach--drama, rich families, drama, wild vacation, drama, prom, drama, graduation, & the move out... the question is, have the diehard LB fans accepted this change that stayed the same? We'll have to keep our ears and eyes opened for any possible leakage about a return season--stay tuned!

To watch the entire season, visit the MTV website: http://www.mtv.ca/tvshows/newport-harbor/


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SYTYCDC!

Show 'em what we got, eh?

THE long-awaited moment has finally arrived: `So You Think You Can Dance` is coming to Canada! This will be Canada's time to shine--to showcase to the rest of the world what great talent we produce. So You Think You Can Dance, which first aired 3 years ago for us Canucks, was of course based in the United States. Every week of the season we tuned in to watch the dancers learn and master--or not--different types of dance techniques, and show their versatility and adaptability by changing up their dance partners. Collaborating with some of the finest choreographers of the industry, scintillating dance routines had viewers enthralled, and tossing in the occasional singer celebrity performance didn't ever hurt ratings either.

I am excited to see how Canada will be perceived. Other competitive Canadian shows that spun off from its American sibling, such as Canadian Idol and Canada's Next Top Model, never really impressed until their second cycles, and luckily we got those chances! Hopefully SYTYCDC will break this nasty cycle and reign supreme! I do have to say that I am a tad bit biased to this up-and-coming Canadian televised competition--having some dance background myself, I have a lot of respect for this art form. All the best, Canada--show us your moves!


So You Think You Can Dance Canada will be aired on CTV. Details soon to be announced.

Source: Yahoo! Finance

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IT JUST GOES TO SHOW...

LOS ANGELES--Bobby Brown (of musical fame; Whitney Houston's former husband), at the age of 38, has had a heart attack. The singer suffered mild cardiac arrest this past Tuesday night, and it has been said that this incident was attributed to stress and poor diet. Brown has already been released from the hospital and is said to be recovering well. He thanked his fans for their continual support, and announced that he will continue to perform in Los Angeles this Saturday.

This just goes to show that, even with all the wealth and power one may possess, if you deprive your body of what it needs, there will be consequences.

Nutrition may be an educational past for me, but even in my present, its knowledge still resonates.

Source: Associated Press

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HELLO, UPPER-EAST SIDERS...

THE newest addition to The CW collection of addictive drama series', `Gossip Girl` has captivated viewers of all ages. Everyone loves to be on the down lo', and the mystery narrator of the show/author of a scandal-packed blogsite allows the young members of the elite Manhattan Upper-East Side Prep society to be in on everything gossip-worthy in their exclusive world.
The main players of the popularity game are so-called "best friends" Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, who affectionately refer to each other as "S" and "B", respectively. The show premiered with a bang, starting right off with the inclination that all was not well in the world of the besties. "S" had been away to boarding school, and her return to Manhattan sent ratings soaring on Gossip Girl's blogsite. "B" did not seem very enthused about the reappearance of her best, and it was soon after revealed (to the viewers, as well as Blair) that all the commotion brought on by Serena's disappearing and reappearing act involved Blair's long-time beau, Nate. Now, the life of the wealthy and elite would not be complete without the classic antagonistic character--enter Chuck, Nate's best friend and a reckless wielder of power. Also take note of Dan Humpfrey, your everyday underdog--middle-class kid with long-time crush on "It" girl, Serena--and a key player in Serena's attempt at personal and social change.

Approaching the fourth episode of it's first season, we have already been catapulted in to the lives of these drama-filled teens, and we can't help but feel a new-found devotion to such an intoxicating storyline... perhaps a déjà vu to the early days of the late drama series, `The O.C.`? Gossip Girl boasts the same producers! However, just before any conclusions are drawn about the inevitable and drastic downfall of this show (Marissa to Ryan: "No, stay. Don't leave."), know that Gossip Girl first came to be as a book series, whose author--Cecily von Ziegesar--likely spawned ideas from her own perceptions of the Upper-East Side, where she grew up.


For more information on this new hit series, including the Gossip Girl VIP Lounge, and the Gossip Girl Second Life application, visit the official show's website http://cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl/
For more information about the novel series and the author, visit http://www.gossipgirl.net
& don't forget to watch the latest episodes of 'Gossip Girl', Tues @ 7PM EST on CTV, and Wed @ 8PM EST on The CW.

xoxo, Gossip Girl.


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