What’s up team!

Happy fall! I don’t know if it’s actually legally considered fall yet, but I feel willing to declare it as such. That means you’re now permitted to wear jackets outside and light candles inside. You can also tell your significant other that it’s time to start baking stuff again. Raccoon’s orders.

As we get away from the hustle and bustle of summer I’ve been thinking about fun things to do with this community we’ve created (outside of just sending newsletters).

The idea that I have in my head is a West End Raccoon dinner party. I’m thinking we book out a couple of local restaurants, and everyone who signs up is paired with 5-6 other West Enders for a laid back dinner.

After dinner, all the tables could meet at a brewery or something for an afterparty. I think it would be a great way to make friends and feel closer to the local community.

Are people interested in that idea? Let me know in the poll below, or respond to this email if you have any suggestions. If the interest is there I’ll try to get something planned for early October.

I don’t want to hate Ottawa okay? I want to support that city. Think of what people who live there go through on a day to day basis. Everyday they wake up and they live in Ottawa. Apparently, one of the small salvations in that world of drudgery has been a burger restaurant named “Smash Daddy”, which has 5 locations in the city. They really like it.

The good news for us is that Smash Daddy is opening up a new location on Queen St W, in the location that used to house PG Clucks. The restaurant is opening sometime this month

According to a comment on the BlogTO announcement (always a great place for intellectual discussion): “As a fat guy in Ottawa, this one's actually worth it if they maintain the same standards they have here.”

Check out their Instagram here.

Look if you read this newsletter a lot you know we love the High Park Nature Centre. It’s not easy to find 25 actually interesting events every weekend, and these folks give us 1-2 cool things almost every edition. It’s a great thing to have in the community.

They’re looking for volunteers to help them with their Fall programming. This is a great opportunity if you’re looking to gain experience working with kids, or if you’re a high school student who hasn’t figured out a scam to get your 40 hours yet.

More information here

Want your business to reach thousands of Toronto locals? Respond to this email with some info about what you do!

44 Ramber Crescent has a lot of niiice warmmm tones. I don’t know how to tell types of wood apart but I would say that’s oak? Is it differentiated by colour or by look? Maybe it’s a maple. Definitely not pine, pine is not that pretty. Anywho this is a super nice place in Swansea. Highlights include a breakfast nook, a wrap around porch with a bar, and a huge garage.

$2.8M, check it out.

Toronto International Film Festival @ Everywhere - All Weekend
TIFF is here! As are a bunch of celebrities. Can we please stop begging them to say nice things about Toronto in interviews though? See the schedule here.

High Park Yoga @ High Park - Thursday 630PM
Fun weekly community yoga class in the park. Details

GoldenEye 007 N64 Soundtrack Live @ Dance Cave - Thursday 7PM
Believe it or not, it's the GoldenEye 007 N64 Soundtrack, live! Details

Domino Club @ 520 Cafe - Thursday 730PM
A bunch of people playing dominoes at a bar. Details

Birding Walk @ High Park Nature Centre - Friday 10AM
Are you getting into birding after watching that YouTube documentary everyone loved? Maybe come try it for yourself. Details

Taste of the Kingsway @ Bloor & Prince Edward - Friday to Sunday
Okay I know it's a bit outside of our typical range but it's a street festival. With a bunch of food. I know you guys want hear about these. Details

Pokemon Diorama Workshop @ Again Again - Friday 630PM
Make a little environment for your Pokemon figurines to hang out in. Details

Hike to Eat @ Stackt Market - Friday 630PM
Go for a group hike to a bunch of food places. Details

Bat Night @ High Park Nature Centre - Friday 7PM
If you're too dark and edgy for birdwatching, howsabout bat watching? At this event you'll walk through the park with handheld bat detectors to spot those creepy critters. Details

Jazz at the Aquarium @ Ripley's - Friday 7PM
Did you guys know about this? The acquarium hosts a monthly Jazz night where people dress up fancy and sip cocktails. This is a baller date night, and a perfect location for a spy to meet with his nemesis. $41

Hip Hop Karaoke @ Revival - Friday Night
Imagine how cool it would be to bring the house down here? Not in the cards for me but maybe for you. Details

TIFF Rooftop Party @ Aera - Friday Night
A glitzy rooftop soiree where you can party like a movie star. Do you think the stars had a promo code for their Eventbrite tickets? Details

Vintage Tailgate @ Typist Studios - Saturday 11AM
A pop-up with 5 vintage vendors in the parking lot of a nice cafe. Also featuring food from DAM sandwiches. Details

14 Division Open House @ 350 Dovercourt - Saturday 11AM
This police station is hosting a BBQ: "FREE BBQ and FREE Drinks, lots for kids to do, facepainting, balloons, tattoos, boxing, Blinky the car, drones, police dogs, SWAT Team, Mounted police, games, raffles for a signed TFC Jersey." Details

Liberty Village Art Crawl @ Bentway - Saturday 12PM
120 vendors selling all kinds of cool artsy stuff. Details

Wizard of Oz in Concert @ Meridian Hall - Saturday & Sunday
For all you Dorothy heads. Details

Candle Light Concerts: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons @ Royal Theatre - Saturday 845PM
String quartet playing the hits. Great romantic spot to take your mistress. Details

Harvest Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sunday 11AM
A nice fall themed market with local food and makers. Cmon man you gotta come out! We're enjoying the harvest! Details

Singles Social Run @ Liberty Village - Sunday 12PM
Run 4k and then find true love. Details

Queen St Market @ Queen & Shaw - Sunday 12PM
"Expect eclectic mix of unique finds in a cool market vibes, shop from 50+ local Toronto vendors" Details

Silent Book Club @ Danu Social House - Sunday 6PM
Read silently, then talk to other people about what you're reading (if you want to). Details

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours by responding to this email, with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)

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

Hope you folks have a fantastic weekend.

Cam Smonk & Xavier