Volunteer Opportunities with the Annex Residents' Association

Happy Mother's Day!
Crisp day for it.
Our neighbourhood residents' association, the ARA, has put the call out for volunteers.
And I quote:

"Call for Volunteers!
Please come lend a hand in these two community endeavours

ARA TreesPlease Tree Survey Starting After Victoria Day
Please send me an email to let me know if you can help us this summer by accompanying and assisting one of our U of T Student Field Co-ordinators, whether it’s just for a few hours, a few days or even weekly throughout the summer months. We greatly appreciate your time and dedication to helping preserve our City’s and our neighbourhood’s urban forest. If you know of anyone else who can help us, please let me know. Everyone welcome! No experience is necessary.

Annex Festival on Bloor Sunday, June 9
The Annex Residents’ Association’s TreesPlease group is looking for volunteers to help staff our information table at this year’s Annex Festival on Bloor any time you might be available from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. If you have an hour or two to spare, please do let me know."

Cheers,
Vanessa 

Trees Please Project Update

Oh, the glorious trees in our neighbourhood! And they really do shine this time of year; I love how the low-slanting, gentle autumn sunlight is filtered through crimson and gold.
It coats everything with mellow.
If you love our trees, too, you might like this tidbit from the Annex Residents' Association:
"This summer saw the successful completion of the second phase of a four-year program to take an inventory of all the trees in the Annex. Our objective is to develop an in-depth understanding of the current state of the urban forest in our community and assist the City in creating a management plan to maintain and improve the existing tree canopy.

The significant achievements this year were identification and location of Ash trees under attack by the Emerald Ash Borer.  We also identified 82 spots on private property where trees could be planted, and offered homeowners a $50 discount off the LEAF backyard tree planting price.  

More Volunteers are needed to help complete the project; if you would like to help but do not have time to Volunteer, you may make a financial donation.  Donations greater than $20 will receive a charitable donation receipt for tax purposes."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Oct. 2nd Meeting About Cycling In The Area

Annex cyclists: here's your chance to weigh in on cycling safety. This is from the Annex Residents' Association:
"Public Meeting Notice: Annex Cycling Meeting
The Annex Residents' Association (ARA) [is] holding a public meeting on cycling in the Annex.  
Have your say!
Date: Tuesday, October 2^nd
Time: 7pm
Location: MilesNadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Avenue, Room 318
Please join members of the ARA to share your thoughts on 30km/hr speed limits on Annex roads, bike lanes on Bloor from Bathurst to Avenue Rd, and additonal cycling safety measures."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Upcoming Meeting For Residents' Associations

If you'd like to be involved in your community, a good way to begin is to join your local resident's association.

In this neck of the woods, they are quite active!
The Seaton Village Residents' Association annual general meeting takes place May 10. For those of you who live east of there, in the The Annex, May 13th is the date for the next Annex Residents' Association meeting.

The Harbord Village Residents' Association website is a bit out of date re: upcoming meetings, but it's a good source of other information.

Cheers,

Vanessa

New Location: Second Garbage Pick Up Organized by ARA

As promised, the Annex Residents' Association has organized another garbage drop off. Here's the scoop:
"Due to the continuing strike, The ARA has arranged for another large bin to be located at 534 Huron Street, just across the street from the Huron Street Public School about two blocks north of Bloor Street West.
All waste must be securely contained in large plastic bags. Please note no recyclables will be accepted – only organic and household garbage.
Tuesday, July 28th 7:15 am till noon.
An ARA volunteer will be at the site. If you have not yet renewed your membership, we hope you will do so.
Since we only have members on our mailing list, please spread the word to your neighbours.
Should the strike be settled soon or for future dates, times & bin location(s), please check our website at http://www.theara.org/.

This is a good time to organize various clean-up crews."

Cheers,
Vanessa
PS If you live in Seaton Village, the residents' association there is arranging its own drop off for the same day.