Canadian Tourism Commission Leaves Ottawa Off ‘Must-See’ List

Washington D.C. is a must-see in the United States. Tourists would be hard-pressed to go to England without wanting to see London. But is Ottawa a necessary stop when planning a trip to Canada? Apparently, the Canadian Tourism Commission doesn't think so. Well, that's not entirely fair. They think it's worthwhile, but just not as important as 48 other attractions across Canada. The CTC created quite a stir with its newly released Signature Experiences Collection list. It compiled a list of 48 of Canadian tourism companies that "show what Canada's brand is all about" based on nominations.

There were no tourism businesses selected in Canada's capital to represent that brand. Ottawa Citizen blogger Ken Gray was quick to defend Ottawa and argued it should be placed on the same pedestal other unique North American cities like San Francisco, Montreal and New York. Toronto Star travel editor Jim Byers disagrees with Gray that Ottawa is that great, but then again, he says his beloved Toronto isn't up to the same standard as those cities, either.

He instead concedes the physical beauty of British Columbia almost justifies it has more companies representing the province than any other on the list. This could also have something to do with the fact the CTC is based in Vancouver, or that the 2010 Olympics gave a massive boost to B.C.'s tourism budget. But that doesn't explain why Ottawa has been left off the list entirely.

Canada hasn't been shy about its recent push for tourists. With the visit of Prince William and his new bride Catherine still fresh in everyone's minds, as well as new 10-year multiple entry visas now available to foreign visitors, our country is hoping to see a lot of new faces. While the CTC is trying to convince people to come and visit, Ottawa is worried it won't share the tourism dollars evenly.

"We're the nation's capital," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson in a CTV story. "Tourism's the third-largest industry here, we have a lot to offer and to be left off the list by the CTC . . . I don't think it's intentional but I think it was a big mistake."

The commission says the list of 48 tourism companies is just a start and will hopefully be expanded to 100 by the end of the year. Watson may have a few choice words for the CTC (for which, ironically, he used to be the president and CEO) if Ottawa doesn't make it on the extended list.

(Reuters Photo)

Facebook to Automatically Place Ads in your News Feed

Facebook has gotten pretty good at filtering garbage out of people's "News Feeds." Too good, as far as advertisers are concerned: They want the garbage put back, so they can spam people, and logically Facebook is complying.

Facebook is going to "open the floodgates" on your News Feed, according to the Wall Street Journal, putting a torrent of crap back on your home page. The News Feed has thus far been curated by software algorithms that divine what you are interested in and what you consider crap. Not any more; now you'll be seeing more ads, more notices about stupid games your friends have won, and more marketing messages disguised as "likes." All because advertisers feel Facebook is really underperforming — at serving them:

Facebook's algorithms don't display every piece of content that is shared, limiting the impact of the campaigns, said Ian Schafer, chief executive of New York-based digital marketing firm Deep Focus. "It's wasted potential," he said.

Of course, there's all kinds of other "wasted potential" on Facebook. Think of the all the time you spend writing heartfelt non-commercial messages to loved ones or admiring pictures with zero product placement in them. Get on that, Facebook.

Incredible Lego Animals At The Bronx Zoo

I know which Lego set I want for Christmas now. And nothing else will ever meet my expectations again.

View more pictures at Inhabitat.com

The Third Snow White Installment is not Far Behind

Yes, two other studios are producing Snow White movies (Snow White & The Huntsman - pictured left AND a remake named Snow White), but Disney will not be left out! So get ready for The Order Of The Seven, a revisionist project to be directed by Michael Gracey.

In this version of the tale, Snow White is not a sweet animal rights activist living with seven dudes who accidentally eats a genetically modified apple.

No, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

In this iteration, the seven are a 19th century-set disparate band of international warriors belonging to a centuries-old order who have lost their way. Their meeting with an Englishwoman being chased by an ancient evil is the catalyst for their redemption.

While the project is set in China, the warriors will be from locales near (the U.S.) and far (Russia), and each warrior will have a unique fighting style.

Oh, yay! A white lady bringing folks of different races together. This should be fun.

We don't know who will be playing the fairest of them all, but she'd better call Lily Collins and Kristen Stewart and discuss wardrobe decisions. The key is being able to turn the wardrobe into a best-selling Halloween costume, no?

Also, not one of these movies has mentioned the dwarves. What has become of the dwarves?

Disney's 'Order of the Seven' Lands Director (Exclusive) [The Hollywood Reporter]
'Order Of The Seven': Disney's Snow White Retelling Moving Forward [HuffPo]

Introducing a Cookie-making Robot

Finally, scientists have created something useful instead of just studying how sitting is going to kill us all. Behold "BakeBot," the cookie-baking robot. It doesn't mix the ingredients well and can only make one giant, 12-inch cookie pie, but we're now one step closer to having clumsy, $400,000 robot maids. And cookie pies on demand.



[NYTimes]

Bikini Basketball Coming to Toronto

TORONTO -- Bikinis and basketball do mix.

Basketball Entertainment is setting up a team in Toronto and are looking for women to try out for its bikini basketball league.

“We are looking for sexy talent, basketball talent, and ladies that can do games and event promotions for our company,” a release said.

Tryouts will be this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Hoopdome Sports Complex, at 75 Carl Hall Rd., in Hanger Park in the Keele St.-Sheppard Ave. area.

“We are looking for the sexiest women to be on our BBE Basketball Show that starts Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.,” said the release.

Those who want to try out are asked to send BBE a message.

The company plans to present BBE Basketball on Wednesday nights. For more information, go to: bikinibasketball.ca.

Lockdown Issued at Virginia Tech

WASHINGTON -- Officials at Virginia Tech university, scene of the worst school shooting in U.S. history, on Thursday locked down the campus after three youths said they saw a white man possibly carrying a handgun.

So far, police have not found anyone matching the description given by the youths, who were attending a camp at the university in Blacksburg, Virginia, but were still patrolling the campus in search of the man.

"People on campus stay indoors until further notice," the university said in a bulletin on its website.

The university said that at 9:09 am (1309 GMT), the three youths saw a "white male, six feet tall, with light brown hair outside of New Residence Hall East holding what may have been a handgun."

"They say the weapon was covered by a cloth or covering of some sort," the statement said, adding that the suspect was wearing a shirt with blue and white vertical stripes, gray shorts and brown sandals.

"Officers responded immediately to the area but found no one matching the description. Police have encountered no other witnesses reporting this individual or anything suspicious," the university said.


Local television station WSLS reported Thursday that the campus siren system had been activated.

The fall semester has not yet begun, though summer programs are in session.

In 2007, Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Virginia Tech student born in South Korea, shot to death 32 fellow classmates and teachers before killing himself.

Video: This Guy Is Actually Couch Surfing On Water

This guy got a real couch, attached it to a board and went off for some surfing on Kootenay Lake, chilling out while drinking beer. My new favorite sport.



[Geekosystem]

First Look at the new Superman, "Man of Steel"

It's official: After Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill is my favorite Superman. Heck, he may become my favorite Superman of all time! He looks absolutely badass in the the first public shot of the new movie Man of Steel.

Please Hollywood, don't screw this one.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have provided the first look at the new "Man of Steel," revealing star Henry Cavill as Superman in the film from director Zack Snyder.

The film also stars three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams ("The Fighter") as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne ("What's Love Got to Do with It") as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane ("Unfaithful") and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner ("Dances with Wolves").

Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road"), and Faora, Zod's evil partner, played by Antje Traue.

Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman's mother, played by Julia Ormond, and Superman's father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe ("Gladiator").

Rounding out the cast are Harry Lennix as U.S. military man General Swanwick, as well as Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy.

"Man of Steel" is being produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer, from a story by Goyer and Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

'Move': A Short Film

A beautiful little short film from 3 guys traveling across 11 different countries over the course of 44 days. BRB, I'm booking a few flights.

Video: Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' in LEGO

This LEGO music video of Coldplay’s 2008 hit single took two years to make, and all that work paid off big-time. Anyone else think it’s better than the original video?

Avril Lavigne Narrowly Escapes Attack During Concert in Brazil

During a concert in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on Tuesday, Avril Lavigne was about to begin a cover of Coldplay's "Fix You" when a rogue superfan approached her after gaining access to the stage. Lavigne's security team acted quickly to remove the assailant, but not before she let out a fearful shriek, as you'll see in the video above. [via ONTD]

9/11 For Kids

Mike Huckabee has launched Learn Our History, a website that sells cartoon videos to teach kids about important events in US history, like 9-11, WW II, and the “Reagan Revolution”. Only $9.95 for each DVD!

According to the description:

In this important film, the time traveling teenagers learn about America's heroic response to the tragic events of 9/11. They strive to understand why Al-Qaeda attacked us and how the ongoing War on Terror protects Americans at home and American ideals abroad.