Turkey time folks. Thanksgiving is upon us and that means feasts, full homes, and an (often overwhelming amount of) family time. I wish you all the best of luck getting stuck in that convo with that uncle after he’s had a few. May I reccomend the nod and smile technique?
Just a reminder — Advance Voting in the Municipal election runs until this Sunday at 7pm. Might be a nice excuse to get out of that awkward conversation you’ve been stuck in!
And even if you don’t have Thanksgiving festivities in your plans this weekend, there’s plenty to be thankful for going on in the city. Including a bunch of spooky season-appropriate going-ons like a Haloween-themed burlesque show, a ghost walk and of course, Dark Yoga.
Let’s dive in!
Presented by TELEPETS
How much extra are you paying for pet medications?
When we phoned 35 Southern Ontario vet clinics, we found pet parents who send a prescription to an online pharmacy pay 34% to 38% less than filling at the clinic — $75 to $135 saved per refill on the medications we priced — delivered to your home. Savings were even bigger at a big-box pharmacy carrying veterinary medication, if you have one nearby.
Almost every clinic will write a prescription to fill elsewhere, though sending it typically costs $35, and a vet exam to get one adds $135.
That’s the whole trick: ask for the prescription, then choose where it’s filled.
Telepets is built for that. A licensed Ontario veterinarian reviews your dog’s or cat’s case online. No video call, no carrier, no drive to the clinic. We don’t sell medication — our $49 consultation fee includes sending your prescription to the pharmacy you choose.
See which pharmacies were cheapest →
West End Updates
From a dive bar dream to the silver-ish screen: 3 West End bartenders make a queer softball TV series
Courtesy Shaftesbury Films via Toronto Today
Squirly’s, best known as a cozy Trinity Bellwoods dive bar, is also something more — it’s a surprisingly prolific creative engine. Gwenlyn Cumyn, Karen Knox and Mike Schram were already known for producing their web series Barbelle when they were pitched on the incredibly niche story of a queer Toronto softball team named (incredibly) The Brovaries.
What began as a web series in 2019 had become a serious streaming vehicle on Crave, backed by Elliot Page’s production company and with a cast that includes Emily Hampshire of Schitt’s Creek. It’s a great story, and sounds like a great show! New Episodes every Friday.
Mama, mia, Montreal? A fancy cafe/Italian restaurant from Montreal is coming to Harbord Village
Photos by Katrin Usmanova
Good news for lovers of pizza and pasta (and daytime chill cafe food and vibes) — Casa Donato, an offshoot of Montreal’s popular Ristorante Donato is opening next week in Harbord Village.
Daytime dining will be serviced by a walkup cafe counter, but nighttime will transform the spot into a 150 seat fancy-schmancy Italian place. The kitchen will be run by former Top Chef Canada contestant Takeshi Horinoue and he’ll be cookin’ up more than caccio e pepe — the menu will feature traditional Italian cuisine like grilled octopus (if that’s your thing).
Relatively Affordable House of the Week
Check out this 1+1 townhouse right at the base of High Park. It’s got a walkout private patio, gas BBQ, and a spacious living room. Plus a bunch of natural light, right next to High Park, right next to the lake… this is a good spot! You even get access to a building pool, sauna, and gym.
That was a lot of sentences listing things, but you get the gist.
If you’d like to see this place, give West End realtor Noah Do Paco a call at 647-388-6852. Even better - tell him the Raccoon sent you to get the VIP treatment.
Events
If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.
The West End Raccoon Dinner Party (Presented by Fiesta Farms)
We had a cancellation so there is literally one seat left for our dinner party next week. If you’d like to come and meet some of your neighbours - sign up here!
Thursday/Friday
Cowboys and Wallflowers Exhibition Reception @ Assembly Hall - Thurs 6pm. "Immerse in collages that blend iconic imagery and wit to challenge gender norms and domestic expectations." Details.
THE READING TYPE: Fruit Fly @ Type Books Junction - Thurs 7pm. You gotta love a free event. Drop ins welcome to hear a conversation about the book "Fruit Fly." Details.
Dazed and Confused: Pick a Side. Get Played. @ Parkdale Hall - Thurs 7:30pm. Who said you couldn't practice your media literacy and debate skills without a few yuk yuks? Definitely worth clicking through to read more about this event. Details.
Cocktails, Tarot, Burlesque at Kill! Kill! @ Kill! Kill! Coffee - Fri 6pm. What's more West End than an event that combines Tarot, Burlesque, cocktails, and a name like Kill! Kill! Coffee? Details.
Exhibition Place - Ghost Walks: Hidden Histories After Dark @ General Services Building - Fri 7pm. Spook up your season at the Ex. Details.
Blood On the Clocktower at The Grand Order of Divine Sweets @ Grand Order of Divine Sweets - Fri 7:30pm. Come fool some friends! This is an all skill levels game of deception night at one of the better named confectionary shops in town. Details.
Board Game Night at Left Field Brewery in Liberty Village @ Left Field Brewery Liberty Village - Fri 7:30pm. Unwind after a long week with intensely competitive board games. Details.
Cafe Comedy @ Osprey Cafe - Fri 7:30pm. Chill. Hip. Parkdale. Cafe Comedy bay-bee. Details.
Classical Music Home Concert: Sheng Cai, piano and Beverly Wang, oboe @ Joanna Grace Music, 193 Argyle St - Fri 7:30pm. Get classy with it on Friday with a little classical music. Details.
An Introduction to Wine Tasting with Beverly Crandon @ The Depanneur - Fri 6:30pm. Before I wrote for the Raccoon, I wrote for Sublime Imbibing -- and literally taught wine tasting! It's not BS I promise, and this course from The Dep looks absolutely legit. Details.
Trick or Tease: A Halloween-Themed Burlesque Show @ The Great Hall - Fri 8:30pm. The weather's finally turned cold enough to justify more clothing, and yet some people insist on wearing less!! Details.
House Party Rave @ Lee's Palace - Fri 10pm. Described by Lee's as "A sweaty love-letter to the 2010's rager." As a millennial-as-hell fella'...see you there? Details.
Hey you!
If you enjoy reading The Raccoon every week and you’d like to support what we’re doing here, I’ve opened a donation page where readers can make contributions. Any amount would be be very much appreciated.
Saturday
October Big Day Birding Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 10am. "Join us for October Big Day, a global celebration of birds and community science in High Park! On this casual birding walk, we'll explore High Park's diverse habitats looking and listening for resident and migrating birds." Details.
Dark Yoga @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 11:30am. Is there a better month than October to do some dark and gloomy yoga (set to black metal!) Details.
Hallowmas Market @ Ground Control - Sat 11am. It's not a trick! Treat yourself to this spooky market put on by "Toronto Dark Arts Market" — for all of you Hallo-weenies. Details.
MORE NOISE PLEASE! x COWARD PATROL PRESENT: SEVERE EXPOSURE! @ IT'S OK STUDIOS - Sat 6pm. Mandatory inclusion since the poster for this LOUD event features a bewildered raccoon. Details.
A CANADIAN EXPLAINS EUROVISION TO OTHER CANADIANS 2026 Version @ Sweet Action Theatre - Sat 7pm. "Canadian Superfan Matti McLean deep dives into the history of the world's biggest song contest in this award winning remount!" Details.
An Evening With Tragedy @ Bovine Sex Club - Sat 9pm. An all metal cover...of Bee Gees songs? Can you even scream in falsetto? Details.
Crow Night! @ The Wych - Sat 10pm. Wear black, bring a shiny object. No, really. Details.
Sunday
Kind Regards Social Club: A Cozy Morning of Cards, Creativity & Connection @ Book Bar - Sun 10:30am. "A free, drop-in community gathering at Book Bar where you can make cheerful cards for seniors, meet people, and spend a little time away from your screen. No art skills required. All supplies provided." Details.
BYOD Yoga @ The Drake Hotel - Sun 11am. What's better than doing downward facing dog...with your dog?! Details.
Thanksgiving Weekend: PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES @ Revue Cinema - Sun 3pm. The movie may feature American Thanksgiving but it also features all-time-great Canadian John Candy. So we'll give it a pass. Details.
Silent Book Club @ Danu Social House - Sun 6pm. No homework. Bring your own book. Hang out and grab a bite or a bevvy. Sounds like my kinda club! Details.
Monday
Thanksgiving Brunch @ Chantecler - Mon 11am. Thanksgiving brunch at one of my fave French-ish restaurants on the West End. Seriously — if you haven't been, run don't walk (plus 50% off wine bottles!!) Details.
The Witches of Eastwick @ Paradise Theatre - Mon 6:30pm. Fed up with family time? Come unwind at a seasonally appropriate screening where you legally can't talk to anyone for two hours. Details.
🎵 Live Music Report 🎵
🎵Garret T. Willie (Blues Rock) @ The Baby G - Thurs 8pm 🎵Leila Abdul-Rauf (Cinematic Dark Ambient) @ Monarch Tavern - Fri 7:30pm 🎵Begonia (Pop Rock) @ The Mod Club - Sat 7pm 🎵Hendrika (Indie Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Mon 7:30pm |
Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet 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!)
Meet Lula! Evidently a fan of the delicious Donna’s. She’s a resident of The Junction Triangle. Photo submitted by Jane B and Chris F.
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
