Pete's Hit and Run Notes

5 May....Happy Cinco De Mayo for those celebrating the Spanish holiday today !

Ironman had an amazing opening weekend pulling in an estimated 100.7 million dollars at the box office. Robert Downey's portrayal of the marvel superhero has pulled in a total of 104 million since it opened Thursday night.  I think it's pretty safe to say there will be a sequel to this one.

Fox 411.com is leaping to the defense of Sting and his Rainforest Foundation after New York Post ran a disparaging column saying only half the money from a Carnegie Hall concert went to charitable programs. Fox points out the money becomes part of the foundation funds and isn't instantly turned over to charity UNLIKE the funds from a Live Aid concert.  They point out Sting's foundation does an enormous amount of good in Third World countries.

Avril Lavigne hit a small speed bump in her latest tour schedule, she's got no voice.  She was stricken with laryngitis on the weekend forcing cancellation of concerts in Anaheim and Los Angeles as well as 6 other dates on her "Best Damn Tour". Looks like she's got the "best reason" for not being on stage.

It would seem Amy Winehouse won't be one of the voices on the theme song for the latest James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace".            Her producer says she's stopped work and is not ready to record any music.  He says it would take a "miracle of science" to finish the two tracks for the film.  She's had issues with drugs and a brush with police when she slapped a man at a bar a couple of weeks back.

Barbara Walters has put her life on paper with her autobiography called Audition. Among the revelations in the book: She's never learned to drive; she looks better on camera when shot from the left; an affair with a U.S. Senator in the 1970's;  and she has enormous respect and affection for Rosie O'Donnell.  She says she's always felt the need to prove herself stemming from a lonely, isolated childhood

Hamilton Conservation Authority plans to cut back on grass cutting at Fifty Point, Christie and Dundas Valley conservation areas to save on fuel and increase habitat for wildlife, especially grassland birds.  The grass will be done on an "as needed basis" instead of a schedule which will help minimize the impact of fuel prices to the Authority's budget.

Two public information centres are being held this week, part of the Rapid Transit Feasibility Study which will help choose between light rail and bus rapid.  First one is tomorrow at Sackville Center on Upper Wentworth, the second is at the Education Centre downtown on Main West this Thursday. Both will run 6:30 to 8:30 with presentations at 7PM.