The South Bayview Bulldog

Cries of “Meghan, Meghan” set the tone for the arrival of the royal family at the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham Monday. Markle was wearing a light brown coat and brown hat, boots and bag. She walked arm-in-arm with fiance Prince Harry as they made the short journey from Sandringham House to the church. She seemed at ease as they smiled and chatted as they walked alongside William and Kate, who is pregnant with her third child. The Queen chose the theme of “home” for a highly personal Christmas broadcast in which she paid tribute to victims and young survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and those of the Grenfell Tower fire. She highlighted how the “powerful identities” of London and Manchester “shone through over the past 12 months in the face of appalling attacks”. Her message was broadcast across Britain and the Commonwealth as the royal family welcomed Markle. She becomes the first unmarried partner to be invited to Sandringham for Christmas and was making her first public appearance with the royal family.

Kate’s tartan Miu Miu coat is still available in some sizes

Said to be valued at $4,500 Canadian

The recent column by Star writer by Martin Regg Cohn denouncing that one-stop wonder known as the Scarborough subway can be summarized as a whimsical hope that the NDP will hurl itself across the tracks. Cohn rightly concludes that the $3.3 billion dollar boondoggle is still alive because Liberals and Conservatives alike think they can win Scarborough in the next election if they promise subways for all. The NDP has no chance of getting elected so maybe they’d like to try to stop the subway in the name of good government. His column is headlined Could the NDP stop the Scarborough subway in its tracks?  The newspapering axiom that headlines in the form of a question may all safely be answered “no” seems to apply.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Toronto Mayor John Tory

Benjamin Netanyahu, president of Israel

Christmas messages are coming in but only three are available at post time. The prime minister released his good wishes Sunday and reminded Canadians that it is time to bundle up and be happy. He sneaked in a few plugs for his government towards the end. Mayor Tory spoke lovingly of the City and among other sentiments urged everyone to help those who may need help. The president of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he was proud to preside in a country that wishes Christians a Merry Christmas and said he would be offering pilgrims to that state a personal guide to places in the Holy Land. Queen reflects on past year’s tragedies, family in Christmas message

Toronto Police held a moving news conference Sunday at which the mother of Cheyanna Cooper, 24, pleaded for any information that might lead to the recovery of her daughter. The mom, Michelle Walker, said Cheyanna was last seen on December 13 at the Horizons For Youth Shelter on Gilbert Ave. near Eglinton Ave. She came to Toronto to “experience life” said her mother. That was early December. Cheyanna is a Cree woman from Saskatchewan.

Cheyanna Cooper, 24

Salvatori @IAmSalvatori

This spectacular car fire was snapped by Salvatori @IAmSalvatori as a vehicle erupted Sunday at Keele St. and Sheppard Ave. Everyone escaped injury. Police say the fire began under the hood and soon engulfed the car.

Summerhill Market at 446 Summerhill and 1054 Mt. Pleasant Rd. will open Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart 1601 Bayview Ave. will also be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grocery stores other than these are scheduled to be closed. Here is a list of places that are open Christmas Day with things to do compiled by CP24

• Many outdoor skating rinks around town
• Movie theatres
• Some restaurants
• Pacific Mall in Markham
• Ripley’s Aquarium
• Disney On Ice at the Rogers Centre
• The Christmas Flower Show at the Allen Gardens Conservatory
• The TTC and GO Transit will both be running on a Sunday service schedule

Christmas Eve was busy throughout South Bayview. Some glimpses below

Candy canes at Longos

Starbucks on Bayview

Flowers

Are we busy yet? Seen at Cumbrae

Reports say the family of Barry and Honey Sherman has hired a pathologist to conduct a second autopsy on their bodies. This as police presence at the Old Colony Rd. home continues with forensic work in many areas. On Saturday, police used trucks with vacuum hoses to search the sewers for possible evidence. Putting the confusion around Sherman deaths into words

Pugs love everyone

A bit of Yule whimsy from The Bulldog for like-minded celebrants of this season with scenes from London where Big Ben is back in business for a few days to mark the holidays. Then a quick trip down to Southampton for hilarious and loveable Public House Pugs.

Environment Canada has upped the snowfall ante Sunday morning with a prediction of as much as 20 cm overnight. The snow will become heavy at times Sunday evening, enhanced by a heavy snow band off of Lake Ontario. Visibility is expected to be limited making travel challenging. Snowfall totals of 15 to 20 centimetres are expected by the time it tapers off overnight. Cold brisk winds on Christmas Day will likely create some local blowing snow as well. Travelers are encouraged to adjust their plans if possible.

The $17 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw went to a ticket holder in Ontario. There were also five guaranteed prizes of $1 million each up for grabs. Two were claimed by tickets sold in Ontario, two in the Prairies and one in British Columbia. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Dec. 27 will be approximately $5 million.

Rob Oliphant recognizes Vanessa Rose

Leaside United Church Christmas Eve

Emergency Toy Clinic

Ann Brown’s favorite

East York Civic Centre Christmas Tree

Art Clarke and David Harding’s lucky coin Christmas card

Upper left, Leaside stalwart Vanessa Rose is honoured by MP Rob Oliphant for her tireless community work over the years in Leaside and Thorncliffe Park. That’s the Sesquicentennial Citizenship Award Vanessa has in hand. Thanks Vanessa. To the right, an unnamed elf among the many over at the Community Centre 55 Emergency Toy Clinic on Main St. They were hopping today preparing bags of gifts for needy families. Centre left, Ann Brown, the administrator of Leaside Chit Chat Facebook, has posted her favorite Christmas wish and to the right, the glorious East York Civic Centre Christmas Tree. Finally at the bottom, the Christmas tradition of the card that goes back and forth between childhood pals Art Clarke and David Harding. It’s a kind of Scottish joke about the lucky coin given as a gift but only if the recipient gives it back next year. Clarke and Harding have been doing this for 65 years.

Toronto police say there have been over 1,600 collisions involving pedestrians in the city this year, including 36 that resulted in fatal injuries. Of those 36 fatalities, 16 involved seniors 65 or older and 21 involved jay-walking.

COLLISION
Dupont St and Symington Ave, report of a pedestrian struck, no info on injuries, vehicle has fled the scene, silver SUV, damage to front passenger side #GO3254120 ^cb

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 23, 2017