The delightful animated GIF circulating online of Rob Ford falling while trying to hike a football in Nathan Phillps Square has spawned two spin-offs. There's now a Mario and Star Wars version. Elsewhere, the stumble has caught the attention of Toronto-born Cory Doctorow, co-editor of BoingBoing. More things like this, Internet.

Councillor Doug Ford believes Toronto wouldn't vote Olivia Chow if she were to run for mayor against his brother, saying the Trinity-Spadina MPP is "no Jack Layton." Ford thinks Chow represents "tax and spend" government and would fail to unseat the mayor, despite his mounting history of controversy. Is he right?

The Salvation Army says it was inundated with calls and donations yesterday after it announced an alleged $2 million theft from its Toronto warehouse. No charges have been laid in the case but why not call up and make a donation anyway?

It's official: the new air-rail link between Union Station and Pearson airport will use diesel trains. A last-ditch attempt by a group of concerned residents had hoped to initiate a judicial review of the decision by Metrolinx to buy Japanese, oil-powered cars.

Police are expected to announce new charges related to the Danzig Street shooting later today. 18-year-old Shaquan Mesquito was charged roughly two weeks ago with two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and numerous assault and firearms-related crimes in the worst mass shooting in Toronto's history. It's not clear whether there have been any more arrests.

The skating rink in Barbara Ann Scott Park at Yonge and College is getting a $3 million renovation. The cost is expected to be higher than other park repairs because of its location on the roof of a parking garage. The rink, built in 1980s, needs a new pavilion and trees. The bill is covered by development fees from the Aura condo under construction next door.

You might remember we featured projected images of the Toronto skyline that took into account planned (red), in construction (blue), and in sales (yellow) a few months back. The creator of those images now has a video flyby of Toronto as it will likely look in a few years time. [via Reddit]

IN BRIEF:

• Santa Claus Fund: Elderly woman returns the favour decades later [The Star]
• TDSB won't sell schoolyards [CBC]
• New Jays' pitcher Mark Buehrle takes parting shot at Marlins [CBC]

Photo: "xxx" by rui felix from the blogTO Flickr pool.