Leaside United Church will celebrate 88 years since the first service was held in a wooden portable at Millwood Rd. and McRae Dr. on November 25, 1928. The portable was a hand off from Manor Road United which had finished its brick and mortar church in 1920. But before that, Reverend James Miller was sent into the Leaside hinterland by the Toronto Home Missions Council to see about prospects for a new church. He began knocking on doors and received a warm welcome. There was no water, heating or sewage of course so rudimentary provisions were made. Chairs and stoves were purchased to outfit the wooden portable for that first Sunday when 125 people came to worship. It was a long 12 years later and a penny-pinching area of money-management during the depression before the congregation was able to turn sod at the four adjoining lots  purchased in 1928. That was October 5, 1940. The inaugural service was June 1, 1941. Today Leaside United boasts the membership 300 families and is the same welcoming and inclusive church it was in 1928.

Mariah Carey wrapped up Toronto in about an hour Thursday evening. She attracted an enormous crowd on Yonge St. outside the Bay, sang a couple of songs, unveiled the store’s windows and reminded us again that her mighty 1994 pop standard All I Want For Christmas has long-since outstripped White Christmas as the North American anthem for the holiday. Oh yes, they say she was paid a million dollars too.  It’s all silly speculation but the appearance would not have come cheap. Happy holiday prelude all.

The crowd outside The Bay at Queen and Yonge waiting for Mariah Carey! #Toronto #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/hA4Zk7Wyo2

— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) November 3, 2016

What we've been waiting for! 🎄 @MariahCarey @saks_canada @hudsonsbay #Toronto #MariahCarey pic.twitter.com/bznJ5utQ7y

— Etalk (@etalkCTV) November 3, 2016

An obituary has been published in the Toronto Star for Elisa Lorraine Linton who died October 31, 2016 in her 23rd year. Lissy was the daughter of Randall and Elisabeth Linton, and sister to Jessica and Connor. She was born with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare, regressive and terminal disease. Her family, which is well-known in Leaside, has inspired and built The Sanfilippo Children’s Research Foundation — A Life for Elisa.– to help others struck by the disease. Despite her physical and cognitive challenges, Lissy became a symbol of hope and inspiration to everyone, especially families afflicted with Sanfilippo syndrome. A Life for Elisa  A single red rose became an appropriate and significant symbol of the Foundation. The family asks that if you are able, please add a touch of red to whatever you are wearing. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in Elisa’s honour to The Sanfilippo Children’s Research Foundation. Condolences may be made at rskane.ca   Mr. Linton and his brothers own and operate Interior Care on Wicksteed Ave. 

It was a big mistake when an employee at Bloor West and Lansdowne Ave. incorrectly mixed hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid together. It makes a nasty mist that is somewhat caustic. As a result, residents were sent scurrying for cover with watering eyes and fits of coughing. The danger is now over, police say, but for a while people were warned to stay indoors and a TTC bus was used as a refuge for people who were caught on the street.

Michael Doucet, Tom Begg, Dave Thomas and Ted Hellyer accepted the trophy at the Leaside Curling Club. Well done gentlemen.

Home values show no sign of slowing as October prices for Toronto re-sale homes were up 11.5 percent on the year. There were 9,768 GTA sales in the month.  The average selling price of all types of homes rose 21.1 per cent to $762,975.

Britain’s High Court brought government plans for leaving the European Union screeching to a halt Thursday, finding that the prime minister can’t trigger the U.K.’s exit from the bloc without parliamentary approval. Elsewhere in Your  World, Prince Harry is said to be slinking around on private jets to see his girlfriend Meghan Markle, who is lives in Toronto while her present work here continues. And the agonizing case of Scott Michael Greene, the man who shot two Iowa police, is told here. Among the details revealed about this seeming misfit is that his mother was trying to evict hom from her home.

Rebecca Dixon is one of two women said to have been fathered by doctor Norman Barwin when he inseminated their mothers with his own sperm. CBC.

A former Ottawa fertility doctor who resigned from the Order of Canada in 2014 is facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging he inseminated at least two women with his own sperm. Norman Barwin is alleged to have carried out the inseminations without the women’s knowledge or consent, according to a statement of claim filed Tuesday by Ottawa law firm Nelligan O’Brien Payne. CBC

Final 8-7. New York Times

Penny Oleksiak and many of her fellow Olympic athletes visited the House of Commons today for a joyous welcome by MPs, a grand and disorganized tramp around the floor of the House and pictures with the Prime Minister. For Oleksiak, the pride of Toronto Beaches and of all Canada, it was a return visit. The unassuming swimming star, 16, recalled that she had come there at the age of five but wasn’t allowed to walk around inside. Some improvement in her welcome and for a very good reason.

Discussions ran late but a deal was agreed before 6 a.m. It’s believed everyone got to class on time.
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