Olivia Chow’s plan to save Toronto’s kids

Plus, a bomb threat at Toronto’s biggest Jewish high school, innovative laneway housing and cracking the William Nylander mystery [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Alliterative reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and human-sized doodle Travis Barker [unveiled the name of their first child together]( — which is somehow a person’s name and not the latest fragrance by Sylvester Stallone. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Nick Lachance/Toronto Star Exclusive interview [Olivia Chow says we’re failing our kids. Here’s what she plans to do about it]( Having started her political career as a school board trustee, there’s no surprise that the welfare of children was central to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s recently introduced affordable housing plan. In an extensive sit-down with Edward Keenan, [Chow details how her City Hall intends to correct course — and why in some respects, the ball is now in the feds’ court](. Nick Lachance/Toronto Star ANTISEMITISM [“Innocence shattered” as Toronto’s largest Jewish high school evacuated Friday after bomb threat]( The Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto was evacuated Friday morning after receiving a threat that explosives had been planted throughout the campus, Ben Cohen reports. With the aid of bomb-sniffing dogs, police determined there were no explosives in the area. It’s just the latest in a rising number of [antisemitic incidents in the city following the ongoing Israel-Hamas war](. Aaron Lynett/For the Toronto Star HOLIDAYS [As a child, she received a gift box from the Santa Claus Fund. Now she helps run the program]( After Daniela Casas’ family made the financially and emotionally draining move from Colombia to Canada, Christmas presents were hardly top of mind, Emily Fagan writes. So imagine the then-14-year-old’s surprise when she found boxes under the tree for her and her brother. Today, Casas helps oversee a team of volunteers for the Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund. [Here’s why paying it forward means so much, all these years later](. Nick Lachance/Toronto Star housing [Five years after legalization, two neighbours put Toronto’s laneway housing rules to the test]( Jon Braun and neighbour George Emerson have built adjoining laneway suites together in the rear of their East York properties. Three modern, family-sized units, each well over 1,000 square feet, now sit in what used to be a strip of parking spaces now. “It’s a huge act of faith, building something,” Emerson tells Victoria Gibson. Here’s why the friendly neighbours think [laneway suites are a win-win for the community and themselves](. Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images Sports [What the Maple Leafs’ Sweden trip has revealed about “mythical” mystery man William Nylander]( From highly touted amateur prospect to top-flight superstar, you certainly know of William Nylander — but who is the 27-year-old really? With the Toronto Maple Leafs taking part in this year’s NHL Global Series on the Swede’s home turf, Kevin McGran searches for an answer. The more you think you know, the less you do. [Here’s what Kevin discovered](. [Smart Money newsletter launch] Get expert help with your money. If you’re looking for advice you can trust when it comes to managing your finances, you might like the Star’s new Smart Money newsletter, [sponsored by Fidelity](. Every week, Smart Money will break down what you need to know to make, save and manage your money. [Sign up for free here](. GIFT THIS Toronto Star photo illustration Be honest: how deep into your holiday season planning are you? If you’re hoping to avoid the last-minute shopping rush, Emily MacCulloch has looked high and low to round up the [holiday beauty gift sets that offer the best bang for your buck](. Thanks for reading. Please send feedback and alternative celebrity child name ideas to the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_204017), and I will see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](