apple unveils latest toy.

Steve Jobs with the iPad. (From BBC News)

Apple has presented the world with it's newest piece of technological fun! The iPad.
Awkward name aside, this PC tablet - basically like a giant iPhone - has been referred to as a "third category" between smartphones and personal computers, namely laptops, reported BBC News online.

Besides looking pretty nifty, it apparently has a battery life of up to 10 hours...impressive...makes you wonder how they haven't come up with a battery like that for other products yet....hmmmm.

Either way, here's the iPad! Who wants it?

news news newsy news news.

(The need for this picture will be explained below.)

Happy Monday!

Let's get your week started with what's happening today:

- City council is recommending that those who organize the Rock the Park concert in Harris Park be required to pay a $5,000 security deposit for this upcoming year, as last year there were numerous noise complaints from those in nearby neighbourhoods. The proposal is set to go before the city's community and protective services committee today.

- Saturday's rally at Victoria Park, protesting the PM's proposal to prorogue Parliament (hello P's), saw 500 people in attendance, speaking out against how Harper's decision is a "waste of time and money," reported the London Free Press (London Free Press)

- The cast of MTV's Jersey Shore is asking for more money for the second season of their insanely popular (not sure why) show. Associated Content reports that "for Jersey Shore season two, MTV offered a bonus to each of the cast members of $10,000 as well as a payment of $5,000 per episode. That is a lot of money for these cast members, but they rejected it apparently stating that they wanted every cast member (eight main ones) to get the same raise. Now MTV has countered with an offer of $10,000 per episode..." Really...for people with names like Snooki and The Situation? REALLY?
(Associated Content)

- Canadian families are happily welcoming Haitian orphans into their homes. Twenty-four children arrived in Ottawa on Sunday. The children involved had already been pre-approved for adoption, but the earthquakes sped up the process.
(Globe and Mail)

- This past Saturday was yet another pre-Oscars awards show, the Screen Actors' Guild awards. Both Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges both won their respective "best actor" nods, making it appear as those Oscars may be next. Other winners included "Inglourious Basterds" for best ensemble cast, while Mo'Nique took home the supporting actor award for "Precious" and Christopher Waltz won for "Inglourious Basterds" in the same category.
(Canadian Press)

- The Help for Haiti Now celeb-studded telethon raised $57-million for Haiti relief. Kind of nice to see celebrities getting together to do something amazing instead of fake celebrities with bump-it hairstyles asking for more money to make asinine comments, isn't it? Just saying.
(Popsugar)

Check back for more information, fun facts and judgment about Jersey Shore :)

rally rally.

(Yeah, we can't get over this picture either.)

Harper wants to prorogue Parliament and Canadians everywhere are saying, "No thanks."

Whether it's because he's just avoiding the controversy swirling around about the Afghan detainees or it's just to generally inconvenience the country - there's been an audible outcry.

With protests popping up everywhere, London's getting in on the activist action.

For those who want to send a message - they can be at Victoria Park, Saturday at noon where a rally has been organized to take place.

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/01/21/12566046.html

London helps Haiti with music.

Looking for a way to help Haiti?

The Aeolian Hall is bringing together some great talents for a great cause tonight at 7 p.m.

Featuring local musicians Clark Bryan, Marion Miller, Julia MacGregor, Steve Clarke, The Alfredo Caxaj Latin Ensemble, Catherine McInnes, Jennifer Thorpe, Mosaic and others - the evening aims to raise $10,000 for Haiti relief.

The event is "pay-what-you-can" with the proceeds going to the Red Cross. There will also be CD sales, raffles and a silent auction - all proceeds also going to relief efforts.

The important thing out of this event, and other events like it, is that people are aware that continuous aid is needed for this region - not just when the camera lense is focused on it, said Clark Bryan, executive director of Aeolian Hall and one of the evening's performers.

"It's an amazing thing and it's easier to see because it's in the media. But one thing that will sustain is...how do we get people to understand the necessity to give when it isn't in the media at all," he said. "We want to keep one foot planted firmly in the social activist soil."

"It's going to be a very powerful evening and I'm looking forward to it."

Those interested in attending can come to the Aeolian Hall at 795 Dundas St. E. at Rectory at 7 p.m. or contact the following people for more information:

Clark Bryan, Executive Director, The Aeolian

clarkbryan@bellnet.ca 519 672 7950

Catherine McInnes, Artistic Director of Home County Folk Festival

cathmcinnes@sympatico.ca 519 434 0510

Alfredo Caxaj, Artistic Director of Sunfest

acaxaj@hotmail.com 519 641 3044

happy 20-10.

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

Here's to a new decade hopefully filled with new debacles, debates and general good times.

While we could start the new year off with a lively debate on what the heck the point of the People's Choice awards are (sure, people should have a say but it's like watching a high school student council election) - we're choosing to highlight something all you citizens of London should know about.

Did you know that, according to studies, London - not Toronto, as you might assume - gets the most toxins pumped into its skies than anywhere in Ontario?

Yeah. Gross.

According to the London Free Press:

"At more than eight million kilograms of toxins a year, not counting what blows in from the industrial U.S. midwest, the air discharge is 40% higher than the pollutants released above Canada's largest metropolis, the Toronto area, which ranks second in Ontario.

More than 6% of the pollutants released are suspected of causing cancer, while more than 9% are linked to reproductive and developmental defects. Examples of chemicals released include benzene and arsenic."

Delicious.

If anything, hopefully this news will get people thinking, talking and developing solutions.

Want to learn more? See the rest of the article at: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/01/08/12388701-sun.html