Hey Best Enders, welcome to the succinctly named “Civic Holiday” mid summer long weekend!!! Or almost — I do realize that this newsletter comes out on Thursday (but who’s really working that hard today and tomorrow anyways?)

And it’s not just a long weekend…it’s a CARIBANA long weekend! I encourage everyone over 30 to do hip flexor stretching if you intend to be dancing like this for 3 days straight:

While we’ve recently talked a lot about closures, there are good things happening too. Like a squirrel themed cocktail bar opening this fall near Davenport and Ossington — stay tuned for more on that!

And if you’re like this unfortunate newsletter man and don’t have a cottage to repair to fear not — there’s a ton of events to look forward to in addition to the Caribana bacchanalia, including pro wrestling, table top gaming, and not one but TWO Pokemon themed events.

But first…updates!

If you think there’s something suggestive about a place selling both bagels and hotdogs…well frankly, you’ve got a filthy mind. Regardless, last week Primrose partnered with Kwinter’s King Sam Hot Dogs to kick off their reccuring Hot Dog Night(s) (future dates to be announced — keep an eye on their insta.)

While hot dogs and bagels may seem like an…odd pairing, Sam Davis, owner of Primrose assures us it’s not. “Hot dogs and bagels go together like spaghetti and meatballs,” he told Toronto Life. “They’re both part of that classic, timeless canon of deli food. We’re all about tradition, and it just made sense to partner with the storied Kwinter’s hot dog family.”

Read more here.

You know the old saying: “When one library reopens, another closes.” Because shortly after the Junction Triangle branch opened after flooding, the Bloor/Gladstone branch (which incidentally tied for 3rd most iconic landmark in a recent West End Raccoon poll) is shutting its doors for roof repair until — well they say October, but I’m not exactly holding my breath.

Now, too be fair, they’re worried about leaks. And as the JT library proved, books and water DO NOT mix. If you’ve got a book on hold, you can pick it up at the Dufferin/St. Clair branch while the Bloor/Gladstone location is closed. Now we wait to see how close to October these repairs really take.

Read more here.

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Last week’s poll made it clear — WER readers want faster streetcars, even if it means fewer stops.

This week, dear readers, indulge me in another sidewalk-themed inclusion. Six years ago, my wife and I signed our last name into some wet West End concrete. I reckon it’s a bit faded, but still there! If you find it, reply to this email with a pic and the nearest intersection for a shoutout (…and maybe a prize?!)

This is a two-bed apartment in a converted office building in the Junction listed for just $500k! 303-1 St Johns has more than a thousand square feet, lots of natural light, a nice kitchen, and a real Dr. Melfi’s office energy in that one part. I mean that’s an incredible deal right?

What I’ve learned from doing these surprisingly cheap places is that there’s often A Catch. This place has 2 Catches. The first is that the old owner appears to be something of a chair fanatic. This apartment has about 15 different types of chairs, most positioned in bizzare angles. The second is that the maintenance fees are $1.5k per month. I still think it’s a good deal for someone. Probably.

Listing here.

Breathwork and Meditation with Mosaic Yoga @ MOCA Toronto - Thurs 6:15pm. Get stretchy and relaxed at the MOCA...today! Details.

Blood on the Clocktower @ Snakes & Lattes College - Thurs 6:30pm. "Dive into deception and mystery at Blood on the Clocktower every month at Snakes & Lattes College! Will you survive the madness?" Details.

Nature's Melodies Nature Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Thurs 6:30pm. Oh hell yeah we're back to birds!!! Come hear them sing. Details.

Paintings in Crimson - A Premium Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Experience @ Left Field Brewery Liberty Village - Thurs 7pm. "Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the world of Tabletop Role Playing Games (TTRPGs), this event offers something for everyone. Come solo or with friends and immerse yourself in a game of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). This adventure seats up to 6 players." Details.

Toronto Vegan Drinks ☀️ Summer 🌶️ Sizzle 🧅 Edition 🌿 @ Dosa Mahal - Fri 6pm. Enjoy a tipple with some veggie lovin' friends! Details.

RED. @ Bampot Tea House - Fri 6pm. "Join us for the debut of The Redhood House, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and supporting artists in Toronto. We want to create the safest, most vibrant and vulnerable space for you to shine." Details.

Terrible Threes: JAWS 3-D (1983) - Presented in 3D & 35mm! @ Revue Cinema - Fri 6:45pm. Take your heart pills before watching a giant 3D shark lunge at you from the big screen. Details.

CLUB 54: DISCO NIGHT AT DESOTOS @ Desotos - Fri 8pm. Time to bring out that sequined leotard you save for special occasions for some disco at Desotos. Details.

Pokemon Trade Night & Event @ Anime Otaku Hobby - Fri 6pm. It's your desttttiiiiinnnnyyyy to come play, trade and hang with all your pokemon-interested homies. Details.

Superkick'd Pro Wrestling Rock Show! @ The Great Hall - Fri 8:30pm. Bust out your folding chair and/or ladder (and your air guitar) for a night of live action slams, pins, and rock & roll. Details.

Emo Night Toronto: Good Charlotte Edition at Sneaky Dee's @ Sneaky Dee's - Fri 10:30pm. Time to dust off that Hot Topic, because Sneaky Dee's is giving away two Good Charlotte tickets this emo night! Details.

Support The Raccoon

Emancipation on Bloor @ Christie Pits Park - Sat 9am. "Blackhurst Cultural Centre is hosting Emancipation on Bloor on August 1, 2026, a free Toronto walk from Christie Pits to Bathurst and Bloor celebrating Emancipation Day, which commemorates the 1834 abolition of slavery in the British Empire." Details.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade 2026 @ Exhibition Place - Sat 8am - 8pm. Bust out your bejewelled bikini and head on down to the biggest parade of the season! Details.

Gotta Laugh em all: A Pokemon Comedy Show @ Comedy Bar - Sat 5pm. Do you wanna laugh the very best? Like no one ever has? To chuckle is the real test, to giggle is your cause....POKEMON! Details.

HOUSTON DAY PARTY CARIBANA EDITION @ 502 Queen St. W - Sat 3pm. Ready for that classic Caribana dinnertime hangover? Details.

Chatham Kent Barnstormers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Game @ Christie Pits Park - Sat 7:30pm. Come root loud and proud for our Leafs as they STOMP the Barnstormers. Oh, and if you see a blonde man in all Chatham gear, that's my buddy Jordan. Please heckle him relentlessly. Details.

SPIKE! party @ The Wych - Sat 10pm. "drinks, times and tails! a kinky birthday party" Details.

Civic Duty: Shop Local @ The Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am. "The long weekend starts here! Shop, snack, and celebrate Toronto's creative heartbeat." Details.

Candlelight: The Best of Bollywood on Strings @ The Royal - Sun 6:30pm. Chill out after Caribana partying with some candlelit Bollywood music on strings. Details.

Lesbian Speeddating: The Next Chapter @ Society Clubhouse - Sun 5:45pm. Sunday Sapphic speed dating for lesbians 35+! Details.

Saigon Sundays Retro 80's • 90's • 2000's MidSummer Dance Party @ The Piston - Sun 9pm. "The summer will be hot, hot, hot and we'll have the coolest night to dance the mid summer long weekend." Details.

OYF High Park Grand Opening & Karma Week (Yoga) @ 2322 Bloor St. W - Mon 6pm. "Become a Founding Member and enjoy unlimited access to all of our classes." Details.

Caribana Day Long Weekend Day Party @ Drake Underground - Mon 5pm. Come find out what "daggering" is! Details.

Sex T-Rex presents: D&D Live! @ Comedy Bar - Mon 8pm. How could I not include an event hosted by "Sex T-Rex"? Details.

Craft Night @ Danu Social House - Mon 7pm. Feelin' crafty? Come imbibe with some likeminded folks. Remember to bring a buck or two in cash, will be donated! Details.

🎵Cory Hanson (Psychedelic Rock) @ The Baby G - Thurs 7pm
🎵The Bloodshots (Punk) @ Bovine Sex Club - Thurs 9pm
🎵Mac Saturn (Rock) @ Hard Luck Bar - Fri 7pm
🎵Cruz Beckham and The Breakers (Rock) @ The Garrison - Fri 7pm
🎵JUSTTATEM (Alt Pop) @ The Dance Cave - Fri 8pm
🎵Micaela Rae (Jazz Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Fri 8:30pm
🎵BOYFRN (Hip Hop) @ Lee's Palace - Fri 9pm
🎵Laurentian Divide (Alt Rock) @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 6:30pm
🎵Noname (Hip Hop) @ The Great Hall - Sun 7pm
🎵Fruition (Folk Rock) @ The Garrison - Sun 7pm

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