Aww bummer – my favorite show.. cancelled!

It was always a pleasure to see what craziness Adam, Lauren and Jessica came up with. Here’s the sendoff notice from Lauren.

Hi folks

Well some of you might have heard or already know that the show I was hosting and producing for, 969 on Razer, has been cancelled. But I am off to bigger and better things and have accepted the position as the West Coast host/segment producer for the show Going Coastal on MuchMusic.

This marks an exciting stage in my career because I spent most of my childhood and awkward teenage years watching MuchMusic and now I’m working for them! Pretty crazy!

It’s sort of business as usual since I am doing the exact same thing I was for 969, although I think there will be a lot more opportunities to program some fun things for Going Coastal with your help. I’ve already started booking interviews with some of you. But I just wanted to send the update and ensure that you update your address books with my new cell phone and mailing address:

Lauren Toyota
Host & Segment Producer
MuchWest & Going Coastal

300 – 380 W 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1C8

I’m excited to continue working out of Vancouver and with all of you, so I will see you very soon.

Oh, and the first NEW episode of Going Coastal with myself and the East Coast’s, Paul Brothers, will air on Oct 7th @ 8pm (PST) & 11pm (EST)

Italian Kitchen finally opens.. you can check out the opening night event photos on the Urban Mixer site, HERE.

Glowbal Restaurant Group is proud to announce the opening of our newest restaurant – Italian Kitchen

The latest newcomer to Vancouver’s prolific restaurant scene, Italian Kitchen will feature a multi-regional modern Italian menu dished up in ultra-sleek surroundings.

Please note Italian Kitchen will officially open its doors for dinner beginning August 30th. Following the Labour Day long weekend, September 4th, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner. Hours of operation are as follows:

Monday – Saturday
11:00 am to 12:00 midnite
Sunday
4:30pm to 12:00am

Please call 604.687.2858 for reservations. We look forward to welcoming you!
WEB: www.glowbalgroup.com

This month the people at INFAMOUS Magazine (Steve Waters and his crack team) really outdid themselves. Rhianna on the cover – HOT!

Click on the image below to download the magazine in PDF format.

Click on the image below to download my article, ‘Social Shot’ in PDF format.

My favourite photo from this month was Steve Nash. I looked at all the press the following week from the opening event at his sports club and no photo showed him looking directly at the camera — except for mine. I got the money shot!

You can check INFAMOUS Magazine out online at infamousmagazine.net or grab it in Downtown Vancouver.

Quebecor Media is now the largest publisher in Canada.

DATE: Aug. 7, 2007
To: All employees of Quebecor Media and Osprey Media
From: Pierre Karl Péladeau, President, CEO, Quebecor Inc.
Re: Osprey Acquisition

With the successful conclusion of the acquisition of the Osprey Media publications, we now can formally welcome employees of those organizations to our broader Quebecor media family. First, I want to remind everyone of the enormous opportunity this represents in our changing media universe. We are strong believers in the future of print
media and the addition of so much talent and experience brightens that outlook considerably.

[read more…]

My column in Infamous is evolving! This month they played with the layout a bit, put the notable quotes in and since I’m up to speed with attending all the great events in town, no more notations to each portion.

Oh, and Megan Fox on the cover? DELICIOUS!

Click on the image below to download the magazine in PDF format.

Click on the image below to download my article, ‘Social Shot’ in PDF format.

My favourite photo from this month has got to be Lady Sovereign. I was buzzing between four venues that Friday night, Boobilicous at Sun-Yat Sen Classical Gardens, Bar None for the NFL Players, Lotus Sound Lounge for their Focus Fridays and Shine where Lady SOV was playing her afterparty. I rotated through all locations at least three times in the night waiting for that special shot and in most cases, I got ‘em. Thanks to the good people at Shine and my 7-year lucky relationship with them for hooking up the Lady Sovereign shot.

You can check INFAMOUS Magazine out online at infamousmagazine.net or grab it in Downtown Vancouver.

The June issue of Infamous now has two pages of me! All these events, so little time. So a small article which started at 300 – 400 words is now about 2000 words and growing.

Click on the image below to download the magazine in PDF format.

Click on the image below to download my article, ‘Social Shot’ in PDF format.

My favourite photo from this month was definitely Lauren Toyota and Prevail from when they hosted Danes Rock out Vancouver event in Gaolers Mews. With Tuborg Beer and U’Luvka Vodka freely flowing for the VIP portion of the event, it was certainly something to remember.

You can check INFAMOUS Magazine out online at infamousmagazine.net or grab it in Downtown Vancouver.

In February of this year, I started writing for Infamous Magazine, a new CanWest Mediaworks newspaper. So far, the experience has been great and right in alignment with my work at Urban Mixer. I’m republishing archives of the newspaper for your perusal. Enjoy!

Click on the image below to download the magazine in PDF format.

Click on the image below to download my article, ‘Social Shot’ in PDF format.

My favourite photo from this month was David Usher. I spent the whole concert at Richards on Richards waiting to get back stage. When David’s tour manager informed me after the show that David wasn’t feeling well and that he’d lost his voice, my heart sank. Lo and behold, David, always a trooper came out and practically tapped me on the shoulder. That one was totally redemption!

You can check INFAMOUS Magazine out online at infamousmagazine.net or grab it in Downtown Vancouver.

Alright, I’ve finally eaten at Metro Restaurant enough times to talk about it. In most cases, I’ll check a place out several times before I say anything … which is alot more than my friends in editorial who like to write about their experience (especially that of a nascent restaurant) in one single visit.

So, first thing … you can check my Flickr stream for photos tagged Metro Restaurant anytime – or click HERE to see the latest photos I’ve taken at the venue.

Metro has a unique concept in the sense that you can order your protein to whatever size serving you want – all you have to do is order by the ounce. From the land, they have Certified Angus Striploin ($3.50 per ounce), Certified Angus Tenderloin ($4.15 per ounce), Pemberton Meadows Blade Steak ($2.64 per ounce), Provimi Veal Tenderloin ($4.84 per ounce) to name a few items ‘From the Land”. I have yet to try it so keep watching my upcoming photos but be aware, they always reccomend a minimum 4oz serving.

Here’s a few shots of the menu for your perusal – click on the thumnail to be transported to the larger image.

So far, I’m happy with the service at the restaurant, the food is great.

Great patio and décor and given their central location, they’re really going to do well.

Order the Bhajis… they’re quite spicy and very tasty. Oh, and tell ‘em I sent you.

200 Burrard Street (MAP)
Enter off Burrard Street or West Cordova
Vancouver BC V6C 3L6
Phone 604-662-DINE (3463)
Fax 604-662-7562
www.metrodining.ca

During my trip to Calgary for the Stampede, my friends and I chanced upon some fire spinning taking place on the corner of 17th Avenue SW and 8th Street in Mount Royal. Here’s some cool fire spinning photos:

Makes me want to head to burning man or something like that!

Last month, Quebecor ran a series of full-page ads in 24 Hours (and possibly other Sunmedia / Quebecor publications) that asked some pointed questions about the state of wireless telecommunications in Canada.

You can click on the image to view the PDF of the ADs.

55%
That’s how much more Canadians pay for wireless
than comparable American consumers.
In our view, that’s because a lack of competition in our protected market
allows the Big Three mobile phone companies to keep prices above the average prices elsewhere.
Wireless competition would give consumers a break.
Isn’t it time the government made that happen?

[read more…]