View this email in your browser

RARA Winter Newsletter

In this issue...

Taking action on traffic concerns
Last chance to weigh in on lane naming
Winter Solstice Parade – December 21
Rathnelly Day – Save the date
Community art project – Coming soon!

Taking action on traffic concerns

In recent months we’ve heard from quite a few residents who are concerned about traffic safety in the neighbourhood. RARA will be pushing ahead on behalf of concerned residents to address these concerns. We will be holding a meeting with representatives from Toronto Police Services, the City of Toronto, and Councillor Josh Matlow on December 2 at 2:30 p.m. at 188 Cottingham Street. Please RSVP to Kendra at kendra.thompson@accenture.com if you plan to attend.

You can sign your name to a petition outlining resident concerns and calling on the City to take action here. You can give a signed copy of the petition to your street rep or bring it to the meeting on December 2.

RARA is advocating for a few key measures that we think will be effective in addressing resident concerns, including better signage of one-way streets and speed limits, the addition of cross walk across Poplar Plains Road for Brown School students, and speed calming measures throughout the neighbourhood.

Toronto Police Services has offered to do a traffic enforcement blitz within the next few weeks to target unsafe drivers (residents are not immune to ticketing, so be on your best behaviour!)

And in other positive news, the Mabin school is implementing a new kiss-and-go strategy for parents when they drop off their kids. The school is encouraging parents to stop south of Cottingham Street to avoid creating a bottleneck at the narrowest part of the street. You can read more about the Mabin School’s efforts to help with traffic congestion in their newsletter.

Last chance to weigh in on lane naming

In commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of Rathnelly Day and Canada’s 150^th birthday, a campaign is underway to name the laneways in our neighbourhood – and you get to decide on the names!

Two potential naming schemes (each with five lane names) have emerged as frontrunners: Artists and History. The Artists naming scheme recognizes important figures in Canadian art who have all called the Republic of Rathnelly home. The History naming scheme recognizes people and events since 1967 who were instrumental to the emergence of our neighbourhood as the Republic of Rathnelly.

Check out the details of the naming options and then be sure to vote for the option you prefer. But hurry – you only have until December 5 to vote!

Winter Solstice Parade – December 21

On the longest night of the year, Rathnelly residents will once again light up the night in our neighbourhood.

Make your own lanterns and join us as we parade through Rathnelly laneways, following musicians, and stopping in at fabulous neighbours with decked out garages, treats, and hot cider.

Meet at 208 Cottingham Street to make lanterns together at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 (we’ll provide lantern-decorating materials and snacks). The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. at Hardy’s Corner.

(Can’t make it to the lantern making? Don’t have your own lantern? That’s okay – we’ll have a few extras!)

Rathnelly Day - Save the date!

We’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Republic and our 25th Rathnelly Day on Saturday, June 17, 2017 – be sure to save the date!

In recognition of the groovy year of our founding, this year’s theme will be Revolution 2017 – Republic of Love. This is a special milestone year, so we’re hoping to invite back former residents to join the festivities. Still in touch with a former “Republican”? Invite them to return to the ‘hood on June 17th to join the fun!

Festivities will kick off with a parade through the streets of the Republic, leading merrymakers to breakfast in the Pump park, followed by kids’ games and crafts. Stay tuned for other groovy activities being planned for residents big and small in the afternoon. And as always, we’ll wrap things up with a cocktail party, kids’ dinner and entertainment and the legendary street dinner and dance.

There is always lots to do leading up to and on the big day! Interested in volunteering? Send your contact info to Rathnelly Day Chair Colleen Baldwin at baldwincolleen@gmail.com and stay tuned for more details in the new year.

Community art project - Coming soon!

RARA has a community art project in the works that we think you’re going to love. Keep your eyes on the wall just north of the Green P parking lot on MacPherson to see what comes next!

Don't forget - you can renew your RARA membership online