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The “5”

5. World Series – In the first year of extended Division Series with extra wild card teams we have finally made it to the Fall Classic. The San Francisco Giants take on the American League champion Detroit Tigers who swept the Yankees to get to this final. In game one, Giants' slugger Pablo Sandoval hit 3 homers in one game, a feat accomplished by only 3 other players in history. Albert Pujols (2011), Reggie Jackson (1977) and Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928).

4. Apple iPad Mini – It seems everything that the world's largest company does is big news. Tech experts expect an all out tablet war before Christmas with many of the large firms feeling tablet computers are the new area of competition and profit. The new iPad is smaller, by about 3 inches, is about as thick as a pencil, and some feel too expensive for the niche it is trying to fill.

3. Beef Destroyed – All of the tainted beef tied to the XL Foods tainted meat recall was destroyed. Some was rendered at high heat but most went into a landfill. Alberta Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith raised controversy when she suggested on Twitter that the meat be cooked and fed to the poor. She later apologized for the misunderstanding. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reissued a licence to XL to begin operations under stricter guidelines.

2. Politics – The last American presidential debate was held Monday and both campaigns turn it up for the Nov. 6 election. The Ontario Liberals announced Jan. 25/13 as a date for their convention to choose a new leader. Dwight Duncan announced he would not seek the job nor would he run again.  Chris Bentley announced he would not seek re-election either. A talked about date for an Ont. provincial election is May 23/13.  Meanwhile Dalton McGuinty said he would not seek the federal Liberal leadership. They are set to annoint Justin Trudeau in April. Nov. 26/12 will be the date for 3 federal byelections including Durham where controversial Bev Oda stepped down.

1. Language Stats – New census data this week reported that people in this country use 191 different languages. The highest jump was Filipino. Its use rose 64%. The use of Mandarin rose 50%. Bilingualism rose slightly but due more to Francophones learning English as opposed to the other way around. 3.5% reported French as their mother tongue. The top 5 non-official languages spoken in Niagara region were Italian, German, Spanish, Polish and Dutch.

...AND WHAT ELSE DID WE LEARN THIS WEEK?  Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi was found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to 4 years in prison.  Hurricane Sandy has left a trail of death and destruction in the Caribbean and many feel, as it makes its way up the Eastern Seaboard, it could meet other weather patterns and create a Frankenstorm, a monster storm of rain, snow, high winds, etc. The Supreme Court of Canada will review an Ontario Court of Appeals ruling on brothels and prostitution. The International Cycling Union officially stripped Lance Armstrong of all 7 Tour De France titles. John Farrell left the Blue Jays to take his dream job as manager of the Boston Red Sox. The storied New York Islanders announced they are moving to Brooklyn as of 2015. Meanwhile, hopes of a full NHL season dim as the two sides refuse to meet. In Italy, courts convicted scientists of manslaughter after they did not accurately predict the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake that killed over 300. The Ontario Medical Association suggests graphic warning labels and higher taxes on junk food in a bid to help curb obesity. The city of St. Catharines is taking a survey on the parking of RV's, boats and other large vehicles in residential driveways with possible bylaws in our future.

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !!