♢ Daily GEMS

Mr. Viral Closing Night Screening – Toronto Independent Film

jarvisemerald — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:19:53 +0000

You have heard of Viral Video’s, right? Well, who wouldn’t want their video to go viral? If you were a marketing agency responsible for big accounts, and you were about to lose your biggest client, how far would you go?

Toronto local, Janine Short just produced her first film based on the dark side of Viral Marketing, written and directed by Alex Boothby. Janine has a lot of experience in the area of production design and Alex in visual effects, combined they tackled this controversial topic…I mean DOG Piled it!

“What do THEY want?” is a common question when it comes to marketing a product. Branding it into your psyche, marketers try to hypnotize their captive audience into believing they need it. Playing on emotions, berried in the sub conscious, sex and other persuasive elements are molded into the advertising. Does it work? At a cost of losing all integrity, yup. Does it sell a product? yup.

This 100% Independent film, partially funded by a Indigogo campaign using a innovative Prod-YOU-Placement idea, is also 100% worth watching, and sharing…a GEM. Being Shot in our city of Toronto and partially in Montreal, gives it that warm nostalgia of home. I’m not sure if and when this movie will find it’s way to main stream theaters, but it should. Keep your eyes open for more productions from Janine Short. I feel this is just the beginning for her.

Check out the official Website for More Info: www.mrviral-movie.com
Facebook Page: Mr. Viral Feature Film
Twitter Account: @MrViral_Movie

Ok, I will see you guy’s tomorrow. What’s next?

♢ News – No Loblaws No – Kensington Market Community Protests

jarvisemerald — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:58:31 +0000

Yesterday was the Protest in front of the recently demolished Zen Temple, and the location of the proposed new location for Loblaws, the mega superstore. The Community and Friends of Kensington Market, the last of the true Markets in Canada is fighting to Preserve the traditional family run businesses that it has become well known for. How do you feel about this issue?

Toronto Life

Torontist

♢ Creatures Creating – Shared Studio Space & Gallery

jarvisemerald — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:05:38 +0000

Creativity and Community are up on my GEM Radar, and Creatures:Collective fell smack dab into it. Creatures Creating re-opened a new location, from their original space on Queen Street, to Dundas West. It’s Larger Gallery complete with Studio in the back capable of holding around 7 full time artists. Collectively, they have built around the culture, of creating art and music (same thing) by managing an ideal set up for cultivation. Live Model Drawing Workshops are held every Tuesday, to give you a reason to drop by this week, with a bottle of wine is $8, currently. $6 for students.

Most of the artists currently creating at the studio have completed or attending Toronto’s own OCAD, or other popular school for the arts. Look out for a Creatures showdown between schools within the confines of the space. There could be an Art Battle coming soon.

Cultivation is key. So, we invite you to be a creative player in the process of building this community. You now know owner, Darren Leu from this video. Give Creatures a call (647.709.8337) and consider creating out this space, which is for rent. I’ll see you at the Gallery shows! What’s next?

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♢ Freshly Baked Tees – Custom T-Shirt Printing in 5 Min.

jarvisemerald — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:33:54 +0000

Ever wonder what to get someone as a personalized gift or to stand out at your next event? Years ago I stumbled upon this 5 Min Custom T-shirt shop, needing a shirt made for an event launching Pepsi’s new flavor, Throwback. I walked in to take them up on the offer, and was very impressed with the service. They Photoshopped my chosen images from Google using a wide, forward facing computer monitor while I watched, totally in the groove to the music playing in the shop. BANG! in 5 Minutes I had my Pepsi shirt, changing the Logo to say ‘JIVE’ and I was out the door and off to my event. Yes, I DID stand out at the event and even won a prize for it.

Freshly Baked Tees, sister to the home shop Toronto Tees, offers a great selection of high quality, super soft cotton Tees to choose from and your print can be either Vinyl (longer lasting) or Heat Transfer (cut and stick). Can you print on anything other than Tees? Yes! They have hoodies, zipper hoodies, crewneck sweaters, longsleeves, tank tops, v-necks, baseball tees, track pants, hats and more to choose from at the shop. For one standard price of $29.75 you get the shirt and a print of your choice, with no need to fuss with a per letter or per inch pricing. So, get as creative as you like…tell them your idea for a T-shirt and there is nothing that they can’t do…besides copyrighted photos and logos. Even bring your own shirt and take $5 off the cost. Look out for the pink painted building on Queen Street, and drop by this Toronto GEM when you can. See you tomorrow! What’s next?

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♢ Merchants Of Green Coffee

jarvisemerald — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:02:25 +0000

This is one Toronto GEM you definitely want to visit, especially if you are a lover of coffee. The Merchants of Green Coffee is basically a Coffee Laboratory hidden of the beaten path on 2 Matilda Street just off Queen and the Don Valley Parkway. Merchants are purveyors of the finest grade of Arabica green coffee beans (before roasting), focusing on fresh coffee, fair trade and green business. Most of us just buy our coffee at the local supermarket and don’t realize that 95% of what we buy is actually stale coffee, and not really up to ‘Fresh’ standards. Here at Merchants Lab, you can drop by and learn about what makes a great cup of coffee and even buy green coffee beans for home roasting OR actually roast your purchase on site. Open since 1994, their dedication to the process of bringing a sustainable high quality product from “tree to cup” has led to the development of truly green practices of properly harvesting the beans under strict Fair Trade practices, bringing you the best tasting cup of coffee possible. Come by and try their coffee while using their free Wi-Fi cafe, play a board game or talk to them about hosting a meeting at their open concept location. I Hope you enjoy your visit as much as I do when I go. See you tomorrow! What’s next?

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♢ Global Cheese

jarvisemerald — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:18:58 +0000

Open since 1970, Global Cheese has been providing the Market and Toronto with quality and service that goes without notice. Recently Global has renovated their formally stacked and packed cheese shop to a more 360 degree workable layout that makes the experience for both workers and customers to enjoy. It looks great! This allowed Global to bring in other complimentary items such as spreads and crackers and a variety of other treats. The selection here is huge, so you will definitely find what you are looking for. Come by and visit this Toronto GEM in Kensington Market, Tell them you saw it on Daily GEMS. See you tomorrow! What’s next?

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Jarvis Emerald G+

♢ Tom’s Place – The Only Place To Buy A Suit

jarvisemerald — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:28:09 +0000

Pay attention to this post. Tom’s Place in Kensington Market is the last suit store you will ever need to go to for quality suits at a great price. Open since 1958, originally by Tom’s Father, it has the largest selection of suits probably in the world. From Great Canadian made high quality styles to Fine Italian suits found on the 2nd floor, you will find what you are looking for. Not only will you get the suit and accessories you needed at the best price possible, but the full experience of buying a suit, being treated like a star. In Addition, Tom’s Place has a good number of on site tailors for your convenience and theirs, making the time it takes to have your suit ready minimal. Oh, and Women, yes…Tom’s has a good selection of suits for you also. The best thing for you to do is come down and visit the shop and see it for yourself. Let them know you saw them on GEMS and you might get a better deal – Ask for Tom specifically on this one. Ok…we’ll see you tomorrow! What’s next?

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♢ Seven Lives Tacos -y- Mariscos

jarvisemerald — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:21:00 +0000

BEST TACOS EVER! This Taco stand just opened up and has won my heart with one bite. Seven Lives Tacos focuses on SoCal and Tijuana Seafood for their creations made at their shop in Kensington Market. They also focus on buying local, as with many of the dedicated ‘Market’ businesses and also provide a friendly atmosphere. But let me tell you about the tacos. I originally had the loaded Gobernador (Smoked Marlin, Shrimp and Cheese) and had a mouth orgasm after one bite. Later Mary came by for lunch and we tried the Smoked Mahi-Mahi…also a winner. for $5 even it’s a steal. Sean, the owner, also says his Carnitas (Pork and Pork belly) for $3 is a popular buy, and is on my list for next time. I believe Seven Lives has the potential to become a legendary Taco establishment. Come out and visit this Toronto GEM and see, I mean taste, what I am talking about. See you tomorrow! What’s Next?

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Jarvis Emerald G+

♢ Yummy Refills – Chinatown – Dragon City Mall

jarvisemerald — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:56:54 +0000

I have been meaning to GEM Yummy Refills for a while now, and finally got to it. The family and I go here quite regularly for their 24 Herb Tea, that, for some reason, after drinking it, puts us in a really good mood. It’s supposed to be good for you if you smoke or drink, so, it’s probably an anti-toxin. Just to warn you, the tea is a bit bitter and very strong…but I have gotten used to it and enjoy it. The couple who own Yummy Refills are GEMS themselves, both being very friendly and will always greet you with a smile. As for some of the other items you can get here, there is a very sweet excellent 5 Flower tea that is good for the stomach, fish and beef balls (regular or spicy) that are served in a Styrofoam cup and eaten with a bamboo spear, a selection of Bubble Teas, and Tea Eggs which are brown boiled eggs soaking in 24 Herb Tea. I haven’t tried one yet, but they look relatively tasty. Come by and experience this Toronto GEM in Dragon City Mall, Chinatown, and tell them we sent you. See you tomorrow! What’s next?

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♢ SunWah Fruit Market

jarvisemerald — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 11:57:42 +0000

You have to love the local fruit markets in Kensington Market and around the world. They trust us to put their mounds of fruits and vegetables out in from of their stores to make a beautiful bouquet of color, adding life to neighborhoods. In Kensington Market there are a handful of these such shops. One in particular, SunWAH, has been in the market for 20 years now at the corner of Baldwin and Augusta, ran by the Tran-Hoa’s, a friendly Vietnamese family. Their great selection and prices are comparable for the Market and quality…always a fresh variety of product to choose from. Fruits, like Oranges and Apples at the front of the shop, cherry tomatoes, Greens and more inside…along with a selection of fresh herbs by the till. At the cash is usually Co-Owner and Wife, Phung…is always happy to see you and a pleasure to buy from. Make sure you say hello from me when you go to this Toronto GEM. See you tomorrow! What’s Next?

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