Argo Defensive Back Matt Black came home to Northern Secondary School and he had quite a prize to show everyone. It gave new meaning to the term Show and Tell.  At a convocation this week the hugely popular Black was able to hang out in style with his former coaches and teachers while thrilling every member of the student body. The powerful role-model embodied by the 27-year-old Toronto native was never more evident as kids lined up after the school assembly to have their pictures taken with Black, and the Grey Cup of course. There is a video on the Argonaut site showing some of the activity.

Writer Joe Warmington says in the Toronto Sun that there appears to be a project on the drawing board to create a replica of the celebrated monkey which has become more than a one-day wonder of a story. It would be a kind of Darwin doll, if you please. Mr. Warmington made the revelation when he said that his sister, Dana Kingstone, is working on a children’s book on Darwin and has been talking with some business people about producing an actual stuffed monkey Darwin, complete with a shearling coat, special tooth brush accessory and even a Santa suit. Prototypes (inset) have been made and there is an effort to meet with those who might find benefit in the idea.  Toronto Sun

The battle of the small commercial vans is at hand as Nissan readies to debut its NV200 (right) at the Montreal Auto Show.  Highly competitive Nissan has noticed the enormously successful Ford Transit Connect. The streets are filled with Bell and Rogers Transits of the first generation. On the left, is the next generation. The 2014 Transit Connect follows a dramatic frontal treatment which identifies the pointy end of most new Ford trucks. 

Kids from Saint Anselm Catholic School braved chilly weather this noon hour to serenade parents and the general public on South Bayview outside Tremblett’s Valu Mart. Christmas carols and other holiday favorites were on the to-sing list.  And as you can see, choir members got enthusiastically into the spirit.  We love the red nose. Well done, kids.  Merry Christmas!  

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered an unusual split decision — coming down all over the place as to whether a woman should be able to conceal her face in court with the Muslim draping known as the niqab. The court did render a majority decision, but many may call it not very useful. The four justice majority, including Chief Justice Madam Beverley McLachlin, said the matter must be decided on each occasion by the court facing the issue. Others in this majority were Madam Justice Marie Deschamps, Mr. Justice Morris Fish and Mr. Justice Thomas Cromwell. Two judges, Mr Justice Marshall Rothstein and Mr. Justice Louiis Lebel concluded that such covering should never be permitted on a witness in court. Madam Justice Rosalie Abella, on the other hand, said the niqab might be worn by any woman witness so long as her identity was not in doubt. The issue of establishing identity to an absolute certainty however was an open question.   Barbara Kay excellent analysis