🦝 Arm Wrestling, Witches, and the 1980's

Hey Toronto!

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of the West End Raccoon. What are you most thankful for this weekend? Your family? Your friends? Your favourite newsletter?

Or perhaps…

Just maybe…

ALDS CHAMPION DAVIS SCHNEIDER!

What a ride it’s been, and yet the ride has just begun. Where the road leads, only Davis knows.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

Cool Spot Opens up on Harbord

Bar Eugenie, an upscale bar and restaurant, opened last month at 89 Harbord in the space previously occupied by Piccolo Piano. Created by a trio of chefs formerly of the Alo group (Alo, Alobar, all that good stuff), the new restaurant pays homage to the old Harbord Room, which occupied the space up until 2016. Expect lots of creative cocktails, a small but convivial dining space, and tasty, yummy food.

Current menu highlights include Green Peppercorn Squid, Lamb Tartare, and Tarte Tatin. More info on their website here.

New Mexican Bakery in Bloordale

The intersection of Lansdowne and Bloor has just welcomed Lonch Time to the neighbourhood. As you approach the store, its window decal will remind you that; “It’s always a good time for a torta”, but that’s just start of Lonch Time’s offerings. They have a full suite of freshly baked goods; everything from chocolate donuts to cuernitos, which are kind of like a Mexican take on a croissant. On top of all this - milkshakes! More information on their Instagram.

Community Initiatives

Thanks to everyone who sent messages about the new section! I haven’t gotten back to all of you yet but I’ll ensure everyone who sent some info gets featured in the next month or so. If you know of a local cause that could use a shoutout, reply to this email.

Buy Some Girl Guide Cookies

Our local Girl Guide chapter reached out to say they’re going to be selling cookies in front of High Park Station on October 14th between 6 and 8PM! Go get some! If you know any girls between 9 and 14 who may be interested in joining the troupe, they can sign up here.

Volunteers Wanted to Help Seniors Grocery Shop

As the title says, WoodGreen Community Service are looking for volunteers in the West End to help seniors with their grocery shopping. These volunteers will be paired with a local senior and will accompany them on a shopping trip, providing some much needed companionship and assisting with things like lifting and carrying. If this is interesting to you, find out more here.

Fancy House of the Week - Presented by CARGO CABBIE

Moving soon? With a 4.9 star rating on Google, CARGO CABBIE is your West End go-to for packing, moving, and storage. Get up to 20% off with code LOCAL20 from your neighbours at CARGO CABBIE. Book your move today: cargocabbie.ca

Little Italy. 3000 square feet. High ceilings. Luxury finishes. Walk-in closet. Other things. If these short sentences have you absolutely captivated, you may need to check out 273 Grace Street. Or you may have a problem with your attention span. Here are some more short statements to soothe you after that long one. 4 bed. 3 bath. $3.2 million. Link here.

Events

If you have an event you’d like included in the West End Raccoon, please submit it here.

Thursday and Friday

Start-up Open House @ Multiple Locations - Thursday
More than 100 startups across the city are opening their doors to the public! See what life's like in these fast paced hubs of innovation, compare the snacks they offer to employees, and maybe find a job! Details

Drop-in Pickle Ball @ St. Martin-in-the-Fields - Thursdays
This church offers drop-in pickleball at 1PM and 630PM every Thursday. I can't find specific details on this, I just saw the sign when I walked past. It is briefly mentioned on their website so it's definitely A Thing.

Toronto Stitchers and Chatters Club @ 95 Greenlaw - Thursday 6PM
Free social group run by a reader. “Our group welcomes everyone who enjoys fibre crafts like knitting, crochet, embroidery, beading, and more.” Details

Garmin Shakeout Run @ 445 King West - Thursday 6PM
A casual run where they'll be giving away a Garmin watch. Details

History of Little Italy @ College St - Thursday 630PM
A historical walking tour run by Heritage Toronto. Did you know that Little Italy got its name because Italians lived there? Good for you. Everyone knows that. This tour will cover stuff that not everyone knows. $10 tickets, if you miss this event there'll be another on October 26

Spooky Book Launch @ Type Books Junction - Thursday 630PM
Poetry, treats, and spooky fun at the launch of "Nightmare Jones" by local author Shannon Bramer. Details

Trivia @ No Notes - Thursday Night
Trivia night hosted by Almost Jeopardy at this recently opened cocktail bar. What is a pretty fun Thursday night? Details

Final Grrrls @ Revue Cinema - Friday 645PM
A lecture by Alex West on the gender politics of 1990's horror movies. $19 tickets

Emo Night @ Sneaky Dees - Friday 10PM
Guest DJ appearance from Liam Cormier of the Cancer Bats. Details

Saturday

Migratory Bird Walk @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 10AM
PWYC birding walk where you'll observe the migrating birds of the autumn season. Details

All Gender Clothing Swap @ Ground Control - Saturday 12PM
Save the landfills from your old fashion taste! They’ve been through enough, they do not need to see that V-neck. Bring 6 items of clothing you don’t like anymore and swap them for something you do. $5 donation

Team Arm Wrestling @ Henderson Brewing - Saturday 12PM
The "Team Arm Wrestling Federation" is apparently A Thing and seems very cool. You can watch a match right here in the West End as the Toronto Smoke take on the Montreal Impact. Details

Stardew Valley Symphony @ Roy Thompson Hall - Saturday
CETWEOK! A symphony orchestra playing the soundtrack of Stardew Valley. Take that girl you've been talking to on Discord. Ticket prices vary

October Witch Market @ 1856 Dundas W - Saturday & Sunday
"Each weekend features 12 new witchy and occult-inspired artisans, offering altar goods, potions, candles, crystals, jewelry, art, and more." Details

Arm Wrestling Tournament @ Henderson Brewing - Saturday 4PM
The aforementioned arm wrestling match will be followed by an open bracket where anyone can enter. $40 entries, free for women

Hitchdeck: Sapphic Edition @ Three Dollar Bill - Saturday 8PM
Hitchdeck is a fun and goofy dating show where groups create a PowerPoint to "pitch" their single friends to an audience. Details

Waffles and a Movie @ Eyesore Cinema - Saturday 8PM
Eat waffles and watch the 2012 vampire movie "Byzantium". Details

80's Dance Party @ The Piston - Saturday 10PM
"Fast Times" is a biweekly 80's dance party. Speaking of biweekly, here's a joke I do a variation of every two newsletters or so: "Dance like nobody’s watching and Brian Mulroney is prime minister.” Details

Sunday and Monday

College Sunday Market @ Society Clubhouse - Sunday 12PM
"Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind handmade items, delicious bites, or a fun day out supporting local businesses, the College Street Sunday Vendor Market has something for everyone" Details

No Phones! @ The Well - Sunday 12PM
A chill gathering at a cafe where no one will go on their phones. Hang out like they used to. Details

Thanksgiving Buffet @ Old Mill - All Weekend
Don't spend your weekend elbow deep in a turkey - head to Old Mill and stuff your face deep into their tasteful buffet. Prices vary

Summer Market @ Queen & Shaw - Sunday 12PM
Fall edition of a summer market. "Food, drinks, vintage, fashion, art, homewares & handmade goods." Details

Blue Jays Watch Party @ Nathan Phillips Square - Sunday TBD
The city will be setting up a big screen at Nathan Phillips for Jurassic Park-type watchalongs. Cheer on the boys as they kick off their ALCS against the Tigers or Mariners! Details

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles @ Revue Cinema - Sunday 4PM
Screening of the Thanksgiving-themed John Candy classic. $18 tickets

WinniWeno @ Wenona Lodge - Sunday 8PM
A comedy show in which the comedians will be taping their submissions for a festival so they'll be working extra hard to make you laugh. $17 tickets

Dcide on the Bcide @ Communist's Daughter - Monday 5PM
Fun music night at a dive bar. They'll play the A-side of a vinyl, then the music will stop and entire bar will engage in rigorous debate as to whether or not the B-side should be played. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Pony Gold (Americana) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 630PM
🎵 Runner (Alt-Country) @ The Garrison - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Mike Evin (Troubadour) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Roman Clarke (Funk/Pop) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 9PM

🎵 The Jane Does (Zeppelin Covers) @ Dina's Tavern - Friday 7PM
🎵 Denielle Bassels (Juno Nominated) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Joce Reyome (Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 830PM
🎵 Technosalon @ Junction Underground - Friday 10PM

🎵 Mike Sixonate (East Coast) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Marlo Green (lofi) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 630PM
🎵 Open Stage @ The Mezz - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Lost Faculty (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 9PM
🎵 DJ Michael Historical Journey @ Tail of the Junction - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Tony Allen & David Dorkie (Dork Folk) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Neville Quinlan (Roots) @ 1033 College - Sunday 7PM
🎵 Swiims, Dollhouse, Jammer's Waffle House (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sunday 8PM
🎵 Isaak Bonk (Jazz & Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Blair Dunlop (Guitarist) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 8PM
🎵 Trevor Cape and the Field @ The Local - Monday 9PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

Have a great weekend, and talk to you next Thursday!
Xavier