Pete's Hit and Run Notes

13 May....

Here's what I know so far......

Canadians are likely to spend more time at home this summer with gas prices up over 1.25.  Chris White of the CAA says people won't have the cash to make long distance car trips as much as other years.  Canadian provinces are mounting ad campaigns to neighboring provinces believing people will make shorter next-province trips to attractions and events. The Canadian tourism industry overall is nervous about this year's summer summer season.

Jimmy Fallon will take over the host seat vacated by Conan O'brien in 2009.  He's been picked to succeed Conan who will take over Jay Leno's Tonight show when he steps aside.

Actor James Garner suffered a minor stroke on Friday. He's still in a Los Angeles hospital but is expected to go home soon.  He's most well known for his detective comedy in the 1970's "The Rockford Files" playing the role of Jim Rockford.

So do you think you should have to pay $100 to question the integrity of one of our city councilors? That's the fee being proposed for filing a complaint with Hamilton's future integrity commissioner. It's meant to deter frivolous claims but would be refunded if the commissioner determines the complaint was made in good faith.  So make it a real good complaint or you'll lose your $100.

Madonna has reportedly signed a deal with StubHub, one of the notorious ticket resellers so she can profit from the fan-to-fan marketplace that drastically increases the price of tickets. MSNBC reports StubHub paid a flat fee to Madonna and Live Nation as part of the deal and according to Wall Street Journal a percentage of revenue will find it's way to the material girl.  Essentially it's a way for Madonna to legally profit from a legitimate form of ticket scalping, just in case you wonder why you can't afford to go to her show.

Avril Lavigne, Feist and Nelly Furtado are among the stars up for Much Music's people's choice awards. They're up for fave Canadian artist, the full list will be announced next week. The trophy hardware will be handed out 15 June.

Uma Thurman is hitting back at Lancome in their contract dispute with a 15 million dollar lawsuit filed Friday. She demanded a million dollars originally for use of her image after her contract with Lancome expired. Lancome counter sued for 15 million, and so Uma now has counter-counter-sued.  It's starting to sound more like a game of poker.

Playboy magazine is the latest entertainment outlet to post a loss in the first quarter of this year as more and more people get their news, information and entertainment online. They lost 3 million dollars January to March of this year compared with a 1.5 million dollar profit in those months a year ago.

A new Buy Local, Eat Local map and directory brochure is being released for you to check out the vendors in Hamilton who sell locally produced food. The initiative synchronizes with the efforts to have people buy food that hasn't been trucked hundreds of miles to show up at market, thereby cutting down on air pollution and fuel costs. Look for the brochure at local farmers' markets, tourism kiosks and at environmenthamilton.org .