Photo: "Dog in Snow" by wvs, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):

Torontoist is back! Wait, it never left....But at least is was fun watching local newspapers, weeklies and radio stations try to explain why this was happening. Was it the death of online media? An egotistical editor? The evil publishing empire in New York? Whatever...Torontoisn't isn't dead after all. The Post has the first interview with not-so-resigned editor David Topping.

Forget about Snowmageddon and get ready for the BIG MELT. Temperatures are going up which means all this white stuff is going to get gross. I'm already getting on my Carl Lewis to clear those blocked storm drains next to the sidewalk.

NOW Magazine has their year in review. The Black Hoof (review here) tops their list of the best new restaurants but they don't think Caplansky's is much more than hype. On that note, don't forget to nominate your favourite new places of the year in our end of year Best of Toronto poll.

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Marc Weisblott over on The Scrolling Eye wonders about the current state of online media, mocks Topping's Torontoist reversal and NOW's continued reluctance to acknowledge the existence of Eye Weekly.

Leafs lose! Leafs lose! Just when you think they're heading for greatness, the beloved blue and white lay an egg at the ACC in an 8-2 shelling to the lowly Stars.

Morning Brew will be on hiatus until after Boxing Day. Have a fun and safe holidays and don't drink too much eggnog.