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5. CHLPA – Sporadic news this week of a Canadian Hockey League Players Association, or union. This would allegedly involve major junior players from Quebec, Ontario and Western Canada. Though most are unpaid, many receive a small weekly stipend. The main issue seemed to be a consistent education program. Former NHL'er and Green Party executive Georges Laraque was named head of the association but doesn't appear to be giving interviews.

4. Cross Border Shopping – According to Statistics Canada numbers released this week, overnight trips to the U.S. from Canada are up 7.5%, and at their highest level since 1972. New exemptions allow Canadians $200 worth of goods for a 24-hr. trip, up from $50 and $800 for 2-7 days, up from $400. New duty free rules went into effect June 1st . Many feel this is unfair to local Canadian business.

3. Marineland – The beleagured Niagara Falls attraction has faced a birage of accusations and protests over the past weeks and this week were the subject of an inspection by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In a report Thursday the amusement park said no major issues were found other than some eye problems of animals related to old age.

2. Body Parts I.D. - After discovering body parts in Mississauga and Scarborough, police were able to identify a victim in the gruesome case. She was Guang Hua Liu, a 41 year old single mother of three who was last seen Aug. 10/12 after she was dropped off at her business, a now defunct spa at Kennedy Rd. and Eglinton Ave. E. in Toronto. She was reported missing the next day. The investigation continues.

1. McGuinty vs. Teachers – The Ontario legislature was called back to work early (Aug. 27/12) to vote on a Putting Students First Act, which would in fact freeze teacher's salaries across the board. Both the premier and education minister Laurel Broten have been talking tough. Opposition members accuse the Liberals of manufacturing a crisis and some say this bill will be fought all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

...AND WHAT ELSE DID WE LEARN THIS WEEK....Wednesday was the one year anniversary of the passing of Jack Layton, with many tributes and memories. We lost Top Gun director Tony Scott, 68, to an apparent suicide, while beloved comedian Phyllis Diller died quietly in her sleep at 95. After 27 gruelling hours, 14 yr. old Annaleise Carr became the youngest person to swim Lake Ontario. Anders Breivik was found guilty of the July 22, 2011 massacre of 77 in Norway and will be jailed indefinitely. A shooting outside the Empire State building in NYC left as many as 10 people injured. In U.S. politics Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin got into trouble for a comment about “legitimate rape”. Lance Armstrong is stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after refusing to enter an appeal process.  Armstrong says it is not an admission of guilt but of an unfair process against him.  Apple was listed as the most valuable company ever at over $623 billion, and about 53% ahead of second place Exxon.

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!