The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales rose 32.1 percent in November compared with the same month last year, matching the record-breaking year-over-year increase seen in October. But the real estate association also says home sales edged back 1.6 percent between October and November as the market settled into the traditionally slower winter season after COVID-19 delayed the spring rush. CREA says 511,449 homes have been sold so far this year, putting Canada’s real estate market on pace for a potential annual sales record — Canadian Press

Snow and three days of colder weather are predicted for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As much as five cm of snow may fall tomorrow. Daytime high temperatures will rise to about 4º Celsius over the weekend.

Inglewood Drive was full of families, friends and various sightseeing joggers this brisk Sunday morning amid the eighth year of the Kringlewood Santa show along this fine street in Moore Park. As told in a 2016 post, the tradition dates to 2013.

The whimsical decision of two neighbours in 2013 to place a couple of 14-foot inflatable Santas on their front lawn has grown into a grand tradition for residents of Inglewood Drive in Moore Park. The Canadian Tire Santas ($250 each) line the lawns (with few houses not participating) from Mt. Pleasant Road to Rosedale Heights Drive. This weekend neighbours will have a street gathering with hot chocolate and such. Those attending are asked to bring a food donation for the Daily Bread food Bank. Organizer Amy Westin says the neighbors have a goal of 500 lbs of food.

Cycle Don Valley Midtown’s Fall Family Outing

These happy members of the Cycle Don Valley Midtown are inviting you to get involved in the New Year. Right now the meetings are in virtual mode but we can hope. All are welcome to connect up and hear about safe cycling and recreational plans. The meetings are Wednesdays as follows: January 27, February 24, March 31, April 28, May 26, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27 and November 24.

A 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie card of Wayne Gretzky with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1978-79 season fetched $1.29 million at auction Friday, the first hockey card to sell for more than $1 million. The card was rated in perfect Gem Mint 10 condition. According to Heritage Auctions, the Dallas-based house that sold the card, there are only two in existence that are rated Gem Mint 10. The same card sold for $465,000 in August 2016, the previous record for a hockey card.

Writer Barbara Kay a Queen’s Gambit spoiler

The National Post writer bravely reflects on her gender’s status among world chess champions. The glaring flaw of The Queen’s Gambit that no one wants to mention

Coach banned for life for hitting boy after loss

This video comes with a warning about the shocking behaviour of a minor league football coach in Florida. He is now banned for life from such coaching.

Two people have died in the partial collapse of a building collapse in London, Ontario. The incident occurred shortly before noon Friday at a four-story building under construction on Teeple Terrace, near Wonderland Road South and Springbank Drive. The collapse occurred as workers filled the site, trapping at least two for a period of time. The update seen in the tweet at the right below says one victim’s body is still trapped in the debris.

Leaside sunset/Karen Keay

The simple joy of a beautiful evening sky prompted more than one Leaside resident to take a picture. These two are the work of Karen Keay (top) and Kathryn Whaley. Ms Whaley notes that her photo was taken in the Canadian Tire lot. Thanks to all.

Kathryn Whaley photographed sky outside Canadian Tire

Few things reveal the deep chasm between authoritarian regimes and democratic governments than the arbitrary confinement of another country’s citizens. And it is now two years since China grabbed and locked up Micheal Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Then, the heroic rescue of a boy, 4, from a narrow water well in Mission, Texas. Below that, it is 60 years since the enduring soap opera Coronation Street debuted on ITV. Finally, the CBC is in the backyard ice rink along with many kids these days.

As reported earlier, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for public use with injections to begin as early as next week. Also from Ottawa, a projection from Health Canada that if all goes according to plan, every Canadian will be vaccinated against C-19 by September 2021.

Thorncliffe schools to remain closed

The school board has decided to keep Thorncliffe Park School and Fraser Mustard Early Learning Centre next door to it closed until at least next week. Headline compilation here.

Police officer in bad form

A Winnipeg police officer has displayed bad behaviour when he’s politely asked why he isn’t wearing a mask. Well trained police know the difference between their duty and their authority.