2013 Miss Teen Canada World, Megha Sandhu at Pure Spirits in Distillery

Posted on August 12, 2012 by admin

In what has now become something of an annual tradition, Megha Sandhu the 2013 Miss Teen Canada World visited the Distillery District today August 10th 2012, and spent some time walking around and admiring the old buildings, modern outdoor furniture and hip art work before being tutored on the fine art of blogging and the subtleties of digital communication by Smojoe.

Below is the quintessential Balzacs Coffee Doorway shot that I have done for three years running now. Type ‘Miss Teen Balzacs’ into Google image search and you will see the others.
Megha Sandhu at The Distillery District

Ranked as one of the top ten bloggers in the Miss Teen Canada Blog Network before the pageant event, Megha is now the official voice of the Miss Teen Canada World pageant and will remain the foremost blogger until July 2013 when the next Delegate wins the 2014 crown. That’s how it works.

This is actually a large responsibility considering the Miss Teen Canada World website homepage now defaults to the blog to showcase the adventures of the young Miss Teen as she hobnobs with celebrities and lends her voice to charity and cultural events. And lets not forget about the Teen World competition in Guatemala this year – Megha could win the ultimate Miss Teen World crown! (and several thousand dollars, and increase Canada’s prestige all over the world).

During the course of the day, Megha got a chance to ride a Segway two-wheeled vehicle at Segway of Ontario, and this has also become something of a tradition. The guys are so good about training the reigning Miss Teen and then parading her around the grounds. They get a kick out of it too.
Megha Sandhu, 2013 Miss Teen Canada, Segway Ontario, Distillery District
I have some video but unfortunately I had the camera on the wrong setting and we ended up with a time lapse video of her two-wheeled trek. It would be perfect for Benny Hill style comedy movie. The second movie was made on Toronto roof looking down into the courtyard, but I’m saving that piece of rich media.

Last week, Megha was just one of sixty four competitors who came to Toronto seeking the Miss Teen Canada crown in Toronto on July 21st at Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Exhibition Place. Hosted by Luke Bilyk and Cynthia Loewen, the show dramatically cut the competition down from sixty four to twenty girls, and then ten, and then finally to the top five. After skill testing questions and public speaking, there was eventually just two people, Megha and Sasha Stewart 2012 Miss Teen Ontario, who is the runner up in the pageant and will be the ‘stand-in’ for lack of a better word to Megha should she be unable to fulfill her duties at any time throughout the year.
Megha Sandhu dons the crown at Pure Spirits restaurant
At Pure Spirits restaurant we dined on delicious salads and I had a seafood linguine. Megha told me that she was training for the Miss Teen competition everyday – memorizing speech components and practicing her public speaking is the hardest part for Megha and one of the most important parts of the teen pageant.
Megha Sandhu eats her dinnert at Pure Spirits
Anyway here is Megha Sandhu, a smart eighteen year old girl who comes from a long line of professionals, first in India and now in Montreal Canada.
Guy LaLiberti, Megha Sandhu, Gaia, 2013 Miss Teen Canada, Distillery
While touring around The Distillery District in sash and crown she got a lot of looks from tourists who of course wanted to take pictures with her – even in the restaurant she was approached by young girls who stood awkwardly beside her as their mom snapped pictures. She is their role model.
Megha Sandhu is 2013 Miss Teen Canada World
Megha enjoyed the GAIA exhibit, and knows a lot about Guy Laliberte who is also native to Quebec and Montreal in particular. He is one of her heroes and she is of course very aware of his new girlfriend who is also a fashion model. Because of this Megha really liked touring the Thompson Landry gallery and seeing the GAIA exhibit which consists of images of planet Earth taken from space. All this really brings Megha’s title – World into perspective.

Seven Best Patios in the Distillery District

Posted on June 5, 2012 by admin

Torontonians love to sit outside on warm summer nights and will seek out restaurants with good patios at which to meet friends and properly enjoy the season. A good patio with good food and lots of atmosphere is the perfect ingredient for a successful occasion, including first dates. The Distillery Historic District has plenty of culture to share and leaves hints about upcoming events every now and then @DistilleryTO on Twitter. Just read the tweets to glean the excitement contained here in the summertime. The area has a multitude of good patios, and each is attached to a restaurant of some quality. Here’s a handy list with phone numbers and some Twitter handles.

Archeo Trattoria Patio

(416) 815-9898

patio restuarant Toronto Just inside the front gate of the Distillery District is one of the best restaurants in Toronto. Archeo restaurant has been detailed on the Distillery District blog here before. The cobblestone patio at Archeo is a small sheltered courtyard accommodating a dozen tables. It lies south of the restaurant and behind the bakery to the west, and the Boiler House restaurant to the east. It’s completely out of the wind and that extends its season considerably; Archeo is usually the first patio open in the springtime, and the last place to close in the fall.
Here’s a fun YouTube video that shows the cozy courtyard during a torrential downpour last summer during the Tenants BBQ on August 15th 2011. We do have fun here.

Balzacs Coffee House Patio

(416) 207-1709

Balzacs coffee in the Distillery District also has a cute little patio with eight Parisian style marble top tables surrounded by a recycled plastic, white picket fence. The sell freshly roasted coffees of all descriptions and bagged coffee beans, whole or ground to any specification. The baristas are very friendly and have great taste in music – they have a good time on Twitter @Balzacs There is a mini art gallery upstairs – every painting on the wall is for sale. There are lots of magazines for easy reading downstairs. The venue draws a great cross section people eager to enjoy the world class coffee experience.
historic Distillery District, Balzacs coffee shop patio in the
This patio, along with Tappo on the other side, have excellent frontage on the large courtyard which is often filled with unique attractions and activities.

Boiler House

(416) 203-2121
Distillery District , Boiler House
The Boiler House was built for big parties, weddings and television events. This place is a favourite rental for special occasions; you really should call ahead or check in on Twitter @the_BoilerHouse to reference the schedule before planning to meet a whole lot of friends here. And if you do manage to walk in and get seated outside on the patio, your night will probably become a special occasion. That’s because this is arguably one of the best patios in the entire city, this sprawling wood beams on cobblestone utopian garden setting has cushion filled seats in eight comfy booths. These 10x chambers can be curtained off with billowing white fabric blinds and made private. On most nights there are several small parties under white cotton canopies. The chambers are filled with comfortable black and white couches around low tables. These centerpieces have stainless steel troughs that perfectly accommodate ice and bottles. Boiler House is a quintessential desert style patio lounge, and on hot summer nights with soft Miami lights pumping up into the canopies, it’s truly magical in here.

Café Uno

(416) 980-2828
Cafe Uno Patio BBQ sausages Distillery District Toronto
Cafe Uno is one of the best kept secrets in the district; its located half way down Distillery Lane and off the beaten path. You don’t have to make reservations to eat here; in this author’s entire tenure, walking past this establishment six or eight times a day, I’ve never seen the patio at full capacity. And there’s really no explanation for it, except that its off the beaten path. John and Leesa are the colourful personalities behind the counter and they pour their heart and soul into the home cooked entrees and appetizing menu items. On hot summer days, John cooks hamburgers and hotdog sausages perfectly on his big green egg BBQ unit and he does a good job toasting the buns too. Another interesting side note, Café Uno’s unique location almost always has a breeze flowing through it (Distillery Lane is a bit of a wind tunnel actually) and of course that can be just what the doctor ordered on a hot day in downtown Toronto. Licensed by the LCBO, Café Uno stocks a wide selection of domestic and imported beer and wine to accompany deli style cuisine, most of which is on display under glass inside.

Mill St Brew Pub

(416) 361-5859
historic Distillery District, Mill St patio The Mill St Brew Pub actually has two patios, and on hot summer days there’s usually a waiting list to get a spot on either of them! You must call ahead here, but that won’t help sun worshipers because they don’t take reservations for the patio. Follow the restaurant on Twitter @MillStreetBrew to get a heads-up when they are closed for events or planning something special for the public. This restaurant sells good food and good beer, some of which they brew themselves right on the premises. This is also a wireless hotspot and one of the few places in the Distillery District where you can catch a signal outside on the patio. The strongest wifi is on the north patio I believe, west side.
historic Distillery District, Mill St patio in the
This hot spot in the Distillery is about to get a whole lot hotter; the 40 story Gooderham condominium bldg behind the restaurant is almost finished and occupants will be moving into the building this fall. When that happens, it will make finding a spot on the Mill St patio almost impossible!

Pure Spirits Seafood Restaurant Patio

(416) 681-5851

seafood restaurant Toronto patio oysters This is the biggest and perhaps the best patio in the Distillery District, and its connected to one of the best seafood restaurants in Toronto. If you ever hear of a Hollywood movie star being spotted at the Distillery District, nine times out of ten the pictures will show them dining in Pure Spirits. It has that rep. And this patio has the most capacity – there are over three dozen tables outside under umbrellas. This restaurant is very active on Twitter and you can follow along @SpiritsPure, and follow the chef

Tappo Wine Bar Patio

(647) 430-1111

A very chic restaurant with a fire lit patio, Tappo is located on the western face of building #5, which is the original 1860s limestone distillery bldg. It serves casual rustic Italian and Mediterranean fare. There is a fire pit in the center of the patio, and torches that illuminate the entire dining area. Exceptional service helps perfect the authentic European dining experience they present to guests every night. Follow on Twitter @TappoWineBar
Tappo restaurant, Distillery District, Italian food, Toronto, patio
In addition to the best wine list in the Distillery, the restaurant is also gaining attention for its culinary deserts; so it really is the perfect place to meet after a show or an event for a late evening snack and night cap. This patio, like the rest of the Distillery District is really awesome in the summer as there is often live entertainment in the courtyard until 11pm.

Canadian Special Events Meeting Expo, Opening Night Party in The Fermenting Cellar, March 28

Posted on March 29, 2012 by admin

Here’s a glimpse at the calm before the storm inside the Fermenting Cellar at 3pm on Wednesday March 28th 2012. The party venue was selected by the 2012 Canadian Special Events Meeting Exposition Trade Show for the 2012 CSEME Opening Night Party.

Stone House Catering knows that excellence lives in the details and they understand that whether you are hosting an intimate dinner party or an extravagant gala for thousands of people, you’ll want your event to be exceptional and memorable. On Wednesday March 28th 2012 at six pm in The Fermenting Cellar which is the home of Distillery Events and Stone House Catering opened its doors to the public in a free exhibition.

Peter Somers was the event designer, and his team at Contemporary Furniture provided all the furniture and décor. 5th Element Events contributed to the décor with the gorgeous floral arrangements, and added ambiance through their extensive lighting design and audio accompaniment. Aaron Kaufman, the Creative Director at 5th Element Events, worked tirelessly all day and stayed right to the end to make sure everything went off smoothly – his crew helped wrap up the attraction at 10pm. Check out the 5th Element Facebook page as it has become a good repository of information about the 2012 CSEME Trade Show in Toronto.

5th Element Events is based in Markham Ontario. Aaron’s creative energy comes complete with a sharp team of sophisticated young people with great taste. Here are three very creative young ladies who helped engineer the atmosphere at this event.

Corporate functions can be many things. A thank you story or celebration of everyone’s hard work after a successful year. They could be happy occasions to mark a transition of leadership, business management consulting. Mixers and social events yield valuable opportunities to “pump up the troops”.

Sushi Chef John Lee is a Zen 9 Sushi Master but he moved too quick for my camera. He is a master at preparing excellent food for simple meet-and-greet cocktail receptions, or as part of a larger food service team. John tells me that quality food service its own reward. He feels good after working hard and making exquisite food. A well-orchestrated corporate attraction can impact a company’s overall performance, and the positive effects of one good party can be felt for years. People are important, and showing them that they are appreciated not only gets attention, it builds your brand, customer loyalty and employee retention.

Andrew Winnik and his partner (employer) stand by the propane units that Caledon Propane Inc provided for the industry event.

These flame boxes are much more social than the usual overhead heater coils, and the light is great for pictures. They are very safe and somewhat mystical additions to parties and gatherings that want to make outdoors in Canada’s winter climate more social for smokers and party goers who want to stare at the stars, streetlights or skyline or scenery as the case may be.

Chef Timothy J Navkar Miles from Pure Spirits Oyster House at The Distillery Events ‘Industry Party’ . Here he is shucking four or five different varieties of oysters – very tasty.

Three friends and neighbours from 33 Mill St Pure Spirits Condominiums. These people are event industry professionals. The man in the center is Fabio Cavaggioni who is a Versace Authorized Distributor to Canada, alongside his wife Maria and friend Lilly.

A sharp dressed man waits for friends in a nearby food line.

Steve and Anna from ENGINE art gallery, which is a staple showcase here in The Distillery District’s thriving art scene

DJ iKhan and Anthony Andrews from Party Cinemas, which is an advanced video dance party solutions company that’s as dynamic as the founders. Both these guys have extensive backgrounds in large scale event planning and audio visual experience design. They know what attendees want, and how to let participants relax and have a good time.

When booking an event with Distillery Events you can expect superior standards of quality throughout every aspect of your event, with no detail left to question. The Distillery has become the premiere site to hold an event in Toronto for many reasons, beginning with the truly magical setting. One of Ontario’s hottest tourist attractions, The Distillery District is an internationally acclaimed 13-acre village of brick-lined streets and dozens of vibrantly restored Victorian Industrial buildings.

Margot Bowen and Heather Elder are glimpsed enjoying cocktails at one of the many tables that lined the center of the venue. These ladies did a wonderful job representing the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council at the event, and they explained to me how the CTHRC addresses labour market issues and promotes professionalism in the Canadian tourism sector. Collectively, council members work on behalf of 174,000 businesses that make up the sector. CTHRC brings together tourism businesses, labour unions, associations, educators, and governments to coordinate human resource development activities in support of a globally competitive and sustainable Canadian tourism sector.

Kristy Dennison, Manager of Events & Sales at Distillery Events, with Rema Gouyez @RemaGouyez the author of the Burgandy Book Blog. Other title sponsors included Advance Tent Rental who provided the front tent access for coat check and tenting to the back of the Fermenting Cellar to house our clearing station. Chairman Mills contributed with all rentals of glassware, china. Its good business practice to host the world and invite influencers to come visit, share ideas, and network for new endeavours. This is how Distillery Events rolls out a party!

Valentine’s Day in the Distillery District

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Christine Stoesser

The Distillery, Toronto’s trendiest time capsule, has just been named one of the 10 best places in Toronto to propose this Valentine’s by the Toronto Star.

There’s no denying that the neighbourhood is a romantic and picturesque backdrop for lovers, but there’s no need for singles to stay away either; the Distillery has something for everyone if you know where to look–Valentine’s Day included.

From The Potting Shed, left, fashions arrangements that mix simplicity with classic elegance, seen in their Christmas wreaths, popular in the 2011 holiday season.

These days, the florist is hard at work preparing specially made bouquets for Valentine’s that present the same sort of tasteful elegance. For $85 (delivery extra): “A Gorgeous Bouquet! Hydrangeas, Roses & Tulips, French-style Market Bundle (rather than those over-priced, over-done, and likely overly-pesticized, long stem red roses).”

After you’ve ordered your bouquet, walk approximately twenty paces to Soma Chocolatemaker and you’ll be taking two Valentine’s clichés to a new level–this isn’t tacky red-roses-and-baby-breath and a Pot of Gold–this is a passionate florist and an artisan chocolatemaker at the top of their game. Any chocolate product from Soma is a worthy outlet for expressing your love, but they’ve put a ‘Crazy Love box’ ($55) together if you’re low on shopping time. Each box contains:

Lacy chocolate heart on chocolate mulch, heartnut butter crunch, pomegranate caramel, spicy pecans, spiced butter toffee, wild cherries tumbled in dark Venezuelan chocolate and ruby red bar.

The Distillery’s restaurants, with their exposed brick interiors and wooden accents, are beautiful settings for a candlelit supper, and some of them, like Tappo Wine Bar, are offering a special Valentine’s Day menu.

Be sure to make reservations as soon as possible as restaurants (especially those in one of the top proposal sites of the city) fill up fast on the feast day of love and devotion.

For the Singles

It’s not the most ideal day to be a single gal or guy, but you can console yourself knowing that you’ve escaped the pressure of creating the perfect night–at least for another year. You’d be surprised how many couples argue and even break up on Valentine’s Day due to great expectations thwarted by poor planning or failure to communicate the desired outcome.

After you’ve convinced yourself you’re better off single anyway, head to the Mill St. Brewpub for great beer and comfort food–as much as you want! Or treat yourself to a gift from Bergo like the soothing Voodoo Knife Block ($150, knives included), which is apparently so popular these days they only have blue men left.

Who To Follow on Twitter in The Distillery District

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

The Distillery Historic District at 55 Mill St in Toronto is an exciting place – there are fun things happening here all the time that are FREE. Its a hub for cultural festivals, feasts, film shoots and drum circles with world famous musicians. Its the home of the Toronto Christmas Market and ARTFest, Food Truck Eats and Diner en Blanc – There was one day last summer when 450 young people showed up wearing all white clothing and had a pot luck dinner in the courtyard – all organized on Twitter and Facebook. There are 96 businesses in The Distillery District. With two new condominium buildings reaching completion on the east side of the complex, the number and quality of new attractions is expected to rise. Getting inside information is critical to saving money and having better and perhaps more ‘insider’ experiences while attending the many cultural festivals and feasts in this facility.

Today the Distillery is home to a thriving Arts Community and Tech Community and so it plays host to a wide variety of educational, motivational and inspirational public events. If you live in downtown Toronto or close enough to make the trip, you’ll want keep on an eye on what’s happening here, and that’s easy to do on Twitter. Here are some of the strongest and most informed local voices,

@DistilleryTO The Distillery Historic District in Toronto

The first and best place to find out what’s going on is to check the Distillery District website and blog wherein you’ll find a list of upcoming Distillery District attractions and documents and photos chronicling past, present and future events. If you run a business down here and you’re hosting an event it would certainly behoove you to email the site administrator and pass on the details so your occasion can be promoted on site and on the Distillery District Facebook page(s).

If you have an active twitter account and would like to be added to this index please email the Rob AT smojoe DOT com. We have a mission to grow this community for our mutual benefit and to help everyone out there share in its goodness.

@EngineGallery Engine Gallery

An incubator for emerging talent in Canada, ENGINE Gallery helps established painters and visual artists of all descriptions grow a larger and more dedicated patronage. The ENGINE Gallery Blog profiles famous artists that have displayed their art works in the 1500 sq ft. of main floor exhibition space. Everything hung here looks quite impressive at night and during the daytime the canvas and sculpture is nicely illuminated by ambiance lighting created by 15 ft floor to ceiling windows that are well shaded by Locust trees at the westernmost extension of Distillery Lanes. Located directly below the Pure Spirits condo building, I come here regularly during the summer to mingle and sip (free) wine, digest powerful visuals and conduct stimulating conversation with smart sexy people.

ENGINE Exhibitions and art openings showcase Contemporary Canadian artists and usually feature original works of art from domestic geniuses and freshly imported minds from abroad. Established in 2003, ENGINE was one of the premier galleries to develop the Queen West Art District in Toronto, and has now found a permanent home in the Historic Distillery District, where it is becoming known as a major player in the Canadian Art Scene.

@Balzacs Balzacs Coffee House in The Distillery District

Centrally located in the middle of the complex, Balzacs Coffee House is the hub by which most residents orientate themselves every morning. Balzac’s Coffee is a moderately priced casual cafe that features a sunny outdoor patio with French marble pedestal tables and bentwood wicker chairs. Inside what was once the former pump house building is today a European style café / coffee house setting with a marvelous black and white tile floor under an enormous Queen Anne style gilt wood chandelier. Sixty year old paintings and prints, antique coffee cans and vintage tin signs frame the bean grinders and confectioneries available under glass on the wide marble counter beneath the staircase that leads to a seating area above. Coffee baristas use a variety of stainless steel appliances to serve fresh roasted coffee in just about any size and description imaginable. The venue commonly hosts uncommon attractions and their twitter feed is full of odd insights into the daily happenings and events at the Distillery District.

@Lenzr Lenzr Corp

Self appointed documentarians, the hip staff members who preside over Lenzr photo contest communities really do have their ears to the cobblestones in terms of knowing about upcoming events and cool promotions, TV shoots, book signings, dance rehearsals and theatre auditions being held at the Distillery District. They seem to know and tweet the pertinent details days or weeks before other residents hear the rumours. They start the rumours. Maybe this is because Lenzr is located right above the DHD headquarters, or because of the gregarious nature of Rob Campbell and his coworkers at Jib Strategic, a boutique advertising agency in Toronto. The two organizations work together four times a year to produces their quarterly tech speaking series known as the Search and Social Rank Symposium that gathers together the Distillery’s brightest web innovators, speakers and authors to discuss the ‘weird science at the intersection of search engine optimization and social media marketing’.

@spiritspure Pure Spirits Restuarant in Toronto

The interior Pure Spirits restaurant is one of the most venerated spaces in Toronto. Nearly one hundred years ago, when temperance societies and prohibition ruled America, it was from this very room that the whiskey barrels began their clandestine journeys across the lake and around the world. Today people come for the ambience and amazing food, particularly the fresh fish and oysters. The 28-seat long bar provides ring-side seating and spectating as oyster- shuckers satiate their audiences. Private booths with wooden benches line the exposed brick east wall under curious blue lamps shades. Outside there exists what many peoiple describe as the “Best Patio in Toronto”. Its just large enough to host the entire cast and crew of a Hollywood feature film, yet small enough to have its own intimate personality. The Pure Spirits’ patio is extremely visually striking; the red-brick walls of the nearby buildings are the backdrop for flowering plants and green tables tables shaded by cool white umbrellas.

@somachocolate SOMA Chocolate in Toronto

Every morning at sunrise the pungent aroma of roasting chocolate hangs in the morning air above the cobblestone lanes of the Distillery District. One visit confirms the accolades; SOMA Chocolatemaker provides exceptional quality product in an engaging atmosphere. Having the process on display and providing “tasting notes” adds to the feeling of contributing to the chocolatemaker’s art.

These people are unique culinary artists, and their medium sized event space and market should be seen as another facet of the Distillery District artisanal tasting experience. Follow Soma Chocolatemaker on Facebook to get insights into the ever changing chocolate flavoured attractions at this unique art gallery.

@Boiler_House The Boiler House Restaurant in The Distillery District

Exposed brick & beams, soaring ceilings and seating on two levels make The Boiler House restaurant a very popular event venue, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival when the place is booked solid for photo shoots and wrap parties. Just about every weekend there’s something extraordinary happening here and the Boiler House summer patio at night is simply breathtaking and rivaled in beauty only by the Pure Spirit patio next door. This is a premier Winterlicious venue and contains more than its share of unique culinary delicacies. The restaurant can comfortably accommodate hundreds of diners with plenty of room for a musical orchestra in an elevated terrace section of the unusual shaped room.

@StirlingRoom The Stirling Room

Just inside the front gate of the Distillery District complex, in the bottom of Bldg 36 there’s an elegant, upscale lounge with a sophisticated atmosphere for young professionals. The Stirling Room showcases Toronto’s best DJ’s and most eligible elites. The lounge offers the ideal setting for a slightly louder style corporate and social event. Inspired by Victorian Gothic art and architecture, the interior of this nightclub is a marriage of contemporary design and historic themes that combine to create a unique and intimate experience. In here the Distillery District’s exposed brick, large wood beams, and original plank flooring are showcased by metallic light fixtures. At the back of the hall, there’s a baby ground piano that has been converted into a DJ booth. Stirling Room prides itself by catering to a wide clientele through themed events, a variety of guest DJ’s and independently promoted nights. It is the ideal venue to suit all of your event needs including a night out to relax and have fun.

@MillStreetBrew The Mill Street Brew Pub

Halfway down Tankhouse Lane, on the east side of the complex The Mill St. Brew Pub already has a long tradition of hosting memorable events. A favorite lunch spot and after-work hangout for the many internet technology business types in the area, this restaurant is down to earth and friendly, and is actually the oldest business in the Distillery District. The pub opened in October 2006 in the tank house where the original Mill St brewery had begun operation in late 2002. The venue is part functioning brewery and part restaurant and the two are separated by transparent Plexiglas panels that gives the impression of dining in a working factory – well not really but you can occasionally catch the scent of fermenting grains and copper bottom cookers brewing up delicious fresh beer for immediate consumption. There are plenty of events here all year round because of the cozy patio and fresh beer and the bright natural sunlit interior with large windows and high ceilings, skylights and wooden beams.

@pikto Pikto Gallery in The Distillery District

Famous for custom photo finishing services, including world class photography b0oks. Pikto Gallery offers a cool exposed brick and wood beam interior gallery space dedicated to the best of the best in photographic arts. The organization plays host to several annual events that regularly feature internationally renowned and emerging photographers, who seem to provide inspiration for all caliber of camera owners, local residents and visitors from abroad. Pikto Gallery shows and services have been featured in national newspapers, magazines and on television.

Keep an eye on the Pikto Facebook page for contests and interactive challenges for worthwhile prizes.

@Soulpepper Soulpepper Theatre Company

The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is the home of George Brown College and Soulpepper

http://www.soulpepper.ca

http://www.soulpepper.ca/performances.aspx

Miss Teen Canada World 2011, Lauren Howe visits The Distillery District

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Rob Campbell

Lauren Howe inside the front door of Balzac's Coffee House inside the historic Distillery District. At the tender age of 18yrs, Lauren Howe was crowned the 2011 Miss Teen Canada World on July 16th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Exhibition Place in Toronto Ontario. Wearing her Miss Teen Ontario sash and crown and representing the province, she bested 74 participants from other provinces, regions and cities all across the nation. She used her charisma in her interview with Judges, her natural beauty, her evening gown and her skill at keeping a WordPress blog as part of the official Miss Teen Canada Blog Network to win the national title. She was a leader backstage and on stage during rehearsals – when it came time to walk the walk and strut her stuff in front of hundreds of strangers and dozens of cameras, she ‘brung’ it all with her to the front of the stage.

On July 27th we were privileged to have Lauren Howe visit us at The Distillery District, 55 Mill St, Toronto, Ontario. While the pageant director was off doing business with her web development toronto, and she left me in charge! I was free to do what I wanted with Lauren and teach her the benefits of blogging and social media blah blah – we just went out and had fun. Now I’m blogging about it. This blog post is me teaching by example!

The Distillery District really welcomed Lauren with AWesome Gifts

It’s a tight knit bunch of people down here and when certain people heard she was coming to the historic venue they bent over backwards to make space and bequeath praise and recognition. But Miss Teen Canada had some official business to do first.

Farid Omar interviews Miss Teen Canada - World, Lauren Howe at The Distillery District on July 27th 2011

Farid Omar with Miss Teen Canada World 2011 Lauren Howe near the pool area of 33 Mill St, Pure Spirits Condominium in Toronto Wearing her sash and crown, Lauren spent thirty minutes with Farid Omar explaining exactly how she wants to use her platform and her title to raise money and awareness for the plight in Somalia that so many young people are not even aware is occurring – there was more press for Amy Winehouse dying than the thousands suffering slow agonizing deaths in east Africa, for example.

Farid published his article on Digital Journal earlier today, Miss Teen Canada-World Gives Voice to Somali Humanitarian Cause.

Next stop, Miss Teen Canada – World visited the pool area of the Pure Spirit Condominium 33 Mill St which was empty on account of an earlier rain shower. But it was a hot day in Toronto; it was one of those days where there is no wind, and after it rained the cement was dry again twenty minutes later because it was so frigging hot. It rained like that off and on all day, but Lauren didn’t let that spoil her visit – she’s not a princess that worries about her hair or her dress getting wet; she’s a cool young person that seems somehow wise beyond her years. But she did have trouble walking in high-heels on those cobble stones.

Chopped fruit for popsicles and summer fun

Miss Teen Canada World, lauren Howe, popsicle molds, swimming pool in the Pure Spirits,The Distillery District While hanging out at the pool, the staff at Lenzr Corp asked Lauren to pose with some freshly chopped fruit that was made to appear much more attractive than you see here by a professional photographer hired for an online marketing campaign for Onyx Containers stainless steel popsicle molds and how infinitely superior they are to crummy plastic molds – I include this information for frozen dessert lovers.

Lauren was terrific and brought a lot of natural energy to the shoot which was otherwise uneventful except that we all got to eat the fruit afterwards.

Lauren’s campaign platform as Miss Teen Ontario was to use her position as Miss Teen Canada World to remedy starvation, and malnutrition wherever its found, all over the world and right here in Canada. To that end she hopes to add her considerable media appeal to fundraisers and charity events as they occur throughout her year in office.

Segway Of Ontario donated a free lesson and Mobile experience.

Miss Teen Canada, lauren Howe with Jason from Segway Ontario beside the wreck of the old truck on Case Goods Lane of the historic distillery district.

Lauren had seen them on television, and in TV shows set in California, but she had never seen the rig up close, or taken one for a spin. The staff at Segway of Ontario was confident she could manage, and after a brief lesson with Jason, they went off together on a whirlwind tour of the entire complex. She loved it, because young people love this kind-of-stuff; it’s a fast moving experience with just a hint of danger presented by uneven surfaces, numerous potted plants and small unpredictable pets.

Pikto presents 2011 MIss teen Canada World with a free photo book

pikto logo as gif Lauren Howe’s segway tour of The Distillery ended at a unique photography services store; at Pikto realizing your photographic vision. these guys have absolutely mastered the art of photo finishing and photo publishing and making cool coffee table books. Their custom photo books printing press present a unique product to the market, and this in addition to all their other numerous photo finishing, publishing and editing services offers customers a chance to get all their pictures on a certain theme published in a real life book. Depending on the photos, it makes a great gift that’s worthy of any bookshelf, or coffee table and it’s slick as heck for wedding albums.

Pikto, Jessie, Lauren Howe, free photo book Lauren is going to get free publishing from Pikto – Jessie holds a blank book. Lauren will fill it and replicate hundreds of copies. She will use it to display all the great pictures from this ‘summer of her life’. There will be a lot of photos taken next week, August 1 – 5th, when she’s down competing in Houston Texas at the Teen World competition. Down there, and all across the southern United States, people take teen pageants very seriously. Whether she wins or loses, Lauren will have a stack of pictures to add to her memories from Toronto and her Miss Teen Canada World crowning achievement. It will be a good book.

A Tasty Lunch at Pure Spirits

Lauren wanted to eat at Pure Spirits before I even told her we were going there for lunch. She passed it twice during the Segway Tour and must have either smelled the grub when she passed kitchen or seen people in the windows, cause the patio was empty due to the inclement weather. That’s a shame – the Pure Spirits patio is the nicest in the distillery, although Archeo is better on a windy day, and Boiler House is great on a hot night, with a big group of friends. Anyway… we ate inside.

I couldn’t resist getting a picture of Lauren with the entire restaurant in the background. This picture really shows off the quaint atmosphere and cool vib inside the culinary hotspot, which used to be a barrel room. There are pictures, and commemorative plaques and even antique machines on display everywhere throughout The Distillery District complex. Would you believe that I remember this exact space back when it was a barrel room? Or rather I remember this space when it still had railroad tracks in the cement floor. The James Mink Story, movie poster, Peter Outabridge, Lou Gossett Jr, Rachel Crawford, Toronto For of course I used to work as a grip in the Toronto film industry and we shot a scene from The James Mink Story in this room. For three days in the summer of 1995 it was staged to look as it did in the 1800s. James Mink was played by Lou Gossett Jr and Peter Outabridge was a young villain who abducts Mink’s beautiful daughter (Rachel Crawford) to sell her into slavery in the deep south. So it’s really a personal story for me when I look around at this place and see how much better my own media contribution to society is now that I get to chronicle a visit from 2011 Miss Teen Canada – World to an amazing world class restaurant, instead of setting flags and lamp diffusers and humping sandbags… a personal anecdote. Some might argue that telling James Mink’s story in any capacity outweighs a visit by Lauren Howe to Pure Spirits, and I wouldn’t disagree, but so far I think people are enjoying this particular post so let me finish.

Our meals were more than delicious.

I had six mussels on ice, three from some Atlantic region and three from out west – they arrived via air freight earlier in today at Pearson Intnl in Toronto and yes I’m sure they were that fresh because I asked the chef, (who took the group picture you see below, nice work) to make sure they were as fresh as possible as Lauren wanted to try one, and I didn’t want to be the one to poison her before she goes south on what will surely be the ultimate test of her constitution.

Lauren herself enjoyed the Thai salad and applied only a modest dressing. She was busy eating and crunching away on the medley of green and yellow vegetables nodding and licking her lips frequently as the conversation turned to other things including her dress in the upcoming costume component of the Teen World competition. Its going to be quite an unveiling – they do it differently down in Texas where the ladies unveil their ‘native costumes’ to the Judges one by one on the big night. Lauren will have a snow white gown emblazoned with red maple leaves but that’s all Michelle Weswaldi will say before the night of the big reveal, August 5th 2011. She is hoping Lauren will bring home the Miss Teen World crown – that feat would certainly bring heaps of honour and respect to the native Miss Teen Canada – World organization, which is steadily growing a small but dedicated following with more and better sponsors each year.

Finally, let me say thanks to the Farid Omar and his article expounding Lauren’s platform, and Segway Canada, and Pikto and finally to the great staff at Pure Spirits! Thanks – you gave Lauren an amazing afternoon she will never forget.

Rob Campbell, is CEO of Lenzr Corp. We built the Miss Teen Canada World Blog Network, which is a powerful association of teen bloggers including Lauren Howe that use their blogs for the forces of good, to help Free The Children, and do independent community projects. Their blogs foster involvement, and they are charged to be good citizen journalists and wherever possible bring media attention to people without voices.

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