Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail from Skyward Events, inviting me to a Premier Party for the "much-anticipated" feature film - "The Doorman" - to rev up at 9 p.m. September 10th (last night) at Ummba Grill at the Westlake Shopping Center.
I was notified in the urgent communication that if I had not done so, I should RSVP right away, to ensure I'd be able to glide past the red velvet rope and mingle with the stars.
The festive invite noted that Paris Hilton and Tori Spelling would be making appearances at the event last night.
Odd, that!
How could Paris Hilton attend the party last night?
She is currently in Toronto attending the annual International Film Festival!
Obviously, Skyward was attempting to trade off of Hilton's celebrity, to rustle up some guests for their soiree.
Since Paris is out-of-town, I suspect they figured she'd never know, eh?
That's show biz. Sleazy!
Needless to say, Skyward events has been relegated to the spam box!
Meanwhile, up north and across the border, Paris made an unofficial appearance at the screening of the doc - "Paris, Not France" - at the Ryerson Theatre.
And with little fanfare.
Although she kissed the air from the sidelines at the close of the doc, she never took the stage or addressed the crowd, much to the disappointment of her fans in attendance.
Since Toronto is my "home town", I thought I would point out a few tourists sites Ms. Hilton may find pleasurable while she's traipsing about in fabulous "Hog Town".
At the top of the list?
Casa Loma
It's a real-life Castle situated right downtown just off Spadina Road on a picturesque mount overlooking the city.
Sir Henry Pellatt was the dreamer behind Toronto's famous landmark.
His adventurous travels in Europe triggered a love for fine art and architecture which eventually spurred his vision for Casa Loma.
In fact, in 1911 - armed with a fortune of $17 million - Pellatt drew up the original plans to construct his dream castle with the skillful assistance of Canadian architect E. J. Lennox.
The Castle took three years and a staggering $3.5 million to build.
A lot of moolah in those heady days!
Once he took possession, Sir Henry filled his dream home with artwork from Canada and around the world.
In sum, it stood as a monument to its creator.
With its soaring battlements and secret passageways, it appeared to also pay homage to the castles and knights of days gone by.
Casa Loma's romantic borrowing from the past, tempered by necessary modern day conveniences, provided the perfect setting for entertaining Pellatt's business partners who were the captains of industry around the globe.
The Pellatt's hosted grand social events at the house and were involved in a number of philanthropic projects.
Sir Henry was a trustee and benefactor of Trinity College and a strong supporter of Grace Hospital.
Lady Pellatt, in spite of her frequent confinement to a wheelchair, played an active role in the promotion of Girl Guides in Canada. She was appointed the first Commissioner of the Girl Guides of Canada and in 1919 was honoured with the Girl Guides' highest award, the Silver Fish.
Unfortunately - in due time - Sir Henry's fortunes could not sustain the magic that was Casa Loma.
To finance expansion, Pellatt went further and further into debt.
One of the financial sources - income from the monopoly of electrical power - vanished when public ownership of electric companies turned the tide against him.
An attempt by Pellatt to fill the coffers by way of land speculation, failed too.
Faced with an extraordinary tax bill, Sir Henry had no choice but to auction off his prized possessions for a fraction of their worth and to abandon his dream of a residing in a noble castle.
Casa Loma is now owned by the City of Toronto and is a successful tourist attraction.
For a touch of diversity that is part 'n parcel of the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Toronto, Paris should take a stroll through Kensington Market.
The roughly five square block area includes the completely unique, Chinatown, and its welcoming mystical culture.
There are quite a few one-of-a-kind boutique stores mixed in with cheese shops and inviting stands filled to the brim with intriguing curios.
At open stalls, tourists can snap up succulent fruit, fresh vegetables, and exotic seafood dishes - you name it.
Ms. Hilton would probably be in her element in Yorkville, too.
Chic boutiques line the streets chock full of the latest designer outfits and fashion flourishes sure to satisfy any savvy shopper.
Gosh, I'm homesick already!
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