Numbers in the news

20
Some 20 percent of
Christmas shoppers admit to
shopping from work on
company time via the Internet.
The biggest online shopping
day is "Cyber Monday,"
according to the National
Retail Federation. That's the
Monday following
Thanksgiving.
Retailers have been trying to
lure shoppers away from
competitors' stores by offering
free shipping of online orders.
78,100
Every year, PNC Wealth
Management puts a price on
the gifts covered in the carol,
"The Twelve Days of
Christmas." It would cost
$78,100 this year.
Helping push up the tab this
year is the minimum wage
hike, which bumped the cost of
eight maids a-milking from
about $41 to nearly $47.
Higher food costs pushed the
six geese a-laying from $300

to $360. And reflecting higher
gold prices, those five gold
rings will cost $395, up 21.5
percent from last year's $325.
Not everything is more
costly. The price of a partridge
($15), two turtle doves ($40)
and three French hens ($40)
remained the same, as did
seven swans a-swimming, at
$4,200, and nine ladies
dancing, at $4,759.
27M
There will be about 27
million live Christmas tree
sales this year.
The National Christmas Tree
Association reports that tree
sales dropped from 33 million
in 2005 to 29 million last year.
Tree prices in metropolitan
areas range from $40 to $65.
Those same trees are being
purchased by wholesalers from
nurseries for an average of $17
to $24 each.
77
This Sunday's Candle and
Carol Celebration is the 77th
annual observance at the First
Presbyterian Church in
Ridgway. It starts with a
prelude at 3:15, followed by the
service at 3:30.
This non-denominational
Christmas observance attracts
dozens of Christians from other
towns. Turnout is always in

excess of 100, according to the
Rev. Mark Cantaral.
Among featured musicians
will be The Singing Dutchmen
and vocal duo Jennifer Morelli
and Dr. Paul Fehrenbach.
Scripture lessons will be based
on the Book of Luke.
Many members of the
community have turned out to
decorate the church in a
maroon-colored Victorian
style.
5.1
Real estate professionals
across the country are surprised
to see that the median home
price has dropped 5.1 percent
over the past year, with
declines for eight consecutive
months.
Almost 16 percent of U.S.
homeowners are now "under
water," which means their
homes are worth less than the
amount they owe on their
mortgages.
10.5B
Licensed casinos in
Pennsylvania have taken in a
gross $10.5 billion since
opening last November.
Proceeds for the state's real
estate tax relief fund have
passed the $500 million mark.
Once that fund reaches $750
million in 2008, the state will
release revenue to help local
governments trim property taxes.