🦝 Dinosaurs, Ice Capps, and Haggis

In partnership with

What’s up Toronto!

A West Ender started a GoFundMe to buy a new patching machine for Alazar, a cobbler who works out of a hidden corner of the Dufferin Mall. After serving the community for 23 years, he was told by his supplier that his current machine could no longer be fixed and he’d have to buy a new one for $10,000.

The fundraiser went viral, was featured on the CBC, and received donations from all around the world. They’ve easily passed their goal, and are now raising excess funds for Maquila Solidarity Network, a charity that supports the rights of workers in the global garment and footwear industries. Pretty cool! Check out the GoFundMe here.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

They Put a New Timmies in The Junction

They put in a new Tim’s in the Junction next to that crazy intersection. Usually I describe locations using cross streets, for this one I’d have to describe it as the corner of Dundas and Dupont and Annette and Old Weston Rd. Anyway, it’s a Tim Hortons, one of the new sleek looking ones. This creates a perfect opportunity to partake in Canada’s national pastime: complaining about what Tim Horton’s has become.

Check out their website?

Fancy a Bin?

Back to back Junction focused stories? The neighbourhood has been on a hot streak recently, not only getting another place to buy ice capps but now also a place to search through bins. Who doesn’t love bins!?! Binmania opened last month at the intersection of Dundas and St John’s (right across from another Tim Horton’s).

This new discount store essentially puts out a massive container of stuff on Saturday mornings. Electronics, toys, you name it. On Saturday everything in the bin costs $20, on Sunday $15, and so on and so on until Friday when they clear everything out by pricing it at $5. This process will continue until the heat death of the universe.

Check out their Instagram here.

Subway Closures

It’s a closure type of weekend! Line 1 will be shut down from St George to St Andrew all day Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle buses will be available.

More info here.

Affordable House of the Week

Do you have a lot of cavities? 103-130 Rusholme may be just the place for you! This 1 bathroom 1+1 is located conveniently above a dentist’s office so you can get fillings and cleanings at a moments notice. What more could you ask for? Well maybe a nice big window that lets in a ton of natural light, a juicy kitchen island, and a Juliette balcony for smoking moody cigarettes.

Priced at $689,000 - check out the listing here.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Research Resolutions @ 500 Lakeshore - Thursday 5PM
A social for those who work in the field of research. Be sure to wear your prettiest lab coat. Details

Paddling Film Festival @ 100 Princes - Thursday 6PM
This is a film festival that shows movies where people paddle boats and kayaks and stuff. As they'd say in Britain, it does what it says on the tin. $20

F-Up Nights @ Stackt - Thursday 630PM
Am I allowed to write the F word in an email? I think this newsletter should be PG-13. Anyway this is a night where you'll hear stories of business failure. Details

Listen to This @ Free Times Cafe - Thursday 7PM
Storytelling and comedy for all the Stuart McLean-heads out there. Details

ROM After Dark @ ROM - Friday 730PM
A dance party at the museum! This one is dinosaur themed. $40

Winter Seance @ 474 Queen - Friday 8PM
"On January 23, audiences are invited to witness a chilling séance featuring none other than Walt — Canada’s most haunted doll." I'm sure we could have found a more creepy name than Walt. Details

Hi Brow Lo Brow @ 874 Dovercourt - Friday 8PM
A running double feature of one fancy-shmancy high brow movie (sorry, film) and then a fun and dumb movie. Details

Fusion Dance @ Dance Annex Studios - Friday 8PM
From what I can understand this this like MMA for dancing. Details

2010's Party @ The Garrison - Friday 10PM
Has this January brought an obsession with looking at photos and videos from 2016? Here's your chance to reminisce. Details

Saturday

The Mat Collective @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 10AM
Pilates, so hot right now. Here's a fun session followed by coffee and pastries. Details

House Brew Dance Party @ IDK Social - Saturday 1030AM
A day-time party where you'll crush espresso shots instead of tequila and vodka and whiskey shots. Details

The Art of Lasagna @ Le Deppaneur - Saturday 12PM
CETWEOK! Do you have a big fat orange cat who you just can't seem to please? Try this lasagna cooking class. Details

Lord of the Rings In Concert @ Meridian Hall - Saturday 1PM
CETWEOK 2! A screening of LOTR with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack. Details

Cozy Comfort Market @ Loohoo - Saturday & Sunday
Now that’s what I call an intriguing and clickable market. Details

Sunday and Monday

Pilates at the Museum @ MOCA - Sunday 9AM
This is the perfect event to tell your friends that you're going to. Not only are you super healthy and working out, you're also cultured and tasteful because you're doing it at a museum. $25

Winter Weather Walk @ High Park - Sunday 10AM
Family friendly nature walk where you'll learn how Toronto's animals survive the coldest time of the year. PWYC

Y2K Drag Brunch @ Bellwoods Brewery - Sunday 1030AM
If you have instead developed an obsession with looking at photos and videos from 2006, check out this drag brunch at Bellwoods. Details

Parkdale Antique Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sunday 11AM
Another intriguing and clickable market. Details

Civic Space Sunday @ 1RG - Sunday 12PM
A lot of smart people stuff this weekend! This is a gathering for people working to address civic challenges. Details

Junction City Wrestling @ The Symes - Sunday 3PM
After a long day of building up energy by rooting through bins, get some rage out by yelling at local wrestlers. Details

High Park's Wildlife @ High Park - Sunday 330PM
"Catch up with the wildlife of High Park at the 3rd annual wildlife photography presentation at High Park Nature Centre." PWYC

Haggis @ Comedy Bar Bloor - Sunday 7PM
A wee comedy night featuring Scottish comedians in honour of Burns Day. $23

Reading Rhythms @ Book People on Queen - Monday 7PM
"​​Reading Rhythms is a series of welcoming reading parties designed to make it easy for people to gather and read socially. We invite you to bring any book you want and facilitate silent reading periods, as well as 1-on-1 breakouts, and group discussions to pull on the threads of the books that everyone is engaging with." $25

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Jolie Anastasia @ Bluebird Bar - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Reuben Kincaid (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Friday 7PM
🎵 Workwitch (Metal) @ Dance Cave - Friday 730PM

🎵 Donné Roberts (Guitarist) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Julie Michels and Alan Cohen (Jazz) @ Neu Lokal - Saturday 530PM
🎵 ENGINE (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 830PM
🎵 Anatolian Funk Ekspress @ Neu Lokal - Saturday 9PM
🎵 Prophecy (Goth) @ Swan Dive - Saturday 10PM

🎵 Ambient Afternoon (Ambient) @ Society Clubhouse - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Duke Street Turnaround (Bluegrass) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Fiddle Fest @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
🎵 Isaak Bonk (Jazz) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Danceland @ 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