RAYS 2012 FAQ

2012 Roncesvalles Area Yard Sale (RAYS) FAQs

What is the Roncesvalles Area Yard Sale (RAYS)?

It is a community event organized in conjunction with the Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents' Association.  Residents in the Roncesvalles Village area are the primary vendors working on their front lawns, driveways and porches selling anything and everything. Collectively they make one giant sale/community-wide event attracting thousands of people to the neighbourhood.

What is the date for RAYS?

RAYS is taking place on Sunday September 15th, 2012 and runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The rain date for RAYS is Sunday September 16th, 2012. Cross your fingers we have good weather that weekend!

Who can participate in RAYS?

All residents in the Roncesvalles area (as outlined in the map on the poster to your left/above) can sell their stuff from the comfort of their front yards, lawns or driveways/garages.

Specifically, the boundaries are as follows:

Dundas Street West to the NORTH*
Lansdowne Avenue to the EAST

Queen Street West to the SOUTH
Parkside Drive to the WEST

*please note that the "Ritchie Triangle" (which is comprised of Herman Ave.; Golden Ave.; Silver Ave.; Morrow Ave; and Ritchie Avenue) is eligible for participation in RAYS

If you live in this area, you should definitely participate! The success of RAYS depends on community-wide participation!

How do I register as a RAYS participant/seller?

Please send an email to Chris at ronces.yardsale AT gmail.com with your name and address of your yardsale.

Why should I register as a RAYS participant/seller? 

Because the success of RAYS depends on it! This year, the organizers of RAYS have decided to improve the efficiency of the RAYS experience by providing a map of all RAYS yardsales to people coming to experience RAYS on September 15. This way, people will know EXACTLY where to go and can plan out their routes in order to go to as many yard sales as possible!

Where is Roncesvalles?

The Roncesvalles area is a multi-community comprised of three neighbourhoods (i.e., Roncesvalles, Sunnyside and High Park) that are connected by Roncesvalles Avenue east of High Park in the city of Toronto.

How do I get to Roncesvalles?

Subways:

Exit at “Dundas West” station. Walk south from station on Dundas St. West or take the 504 streetcar and get off anywhere on Roncesvalles Avenue.

Streetcars:

501 (Queen Car) – Take the 501 going west. Exit at Roncesvalles/Queen, walk north on Roncesvalles Avenue

505 (Dundas St. West Car) – Take the 505 going west.

506 (College Car) – Take 506 going west

*the 504 car will be out-of-service due to the Polish Festival

Will there be any road closures?

YES! Due to the super fun Polish Festival (www.polishfestival.ca), there will be a few road closures. 

From 6:00 a.m. on the morning of Saturday September 15 till 11:00 p.m. on the evening of Sunday September 16, Roncesvalles Avenue will be closed to traffic from Boustead Avenue to Grafton Avenue.

Howard Park Avenue will remain open to traffic and transit.

All of the following side streets will have no access to Roncesvalles Avenue between these times, and will have two-way traffic:

Boustead Avenue, Hewitt Avenue, Ritchie Avenue, Marmaduke Street, Neepawa Avenue, Constance Street, Grenadier Road, Geoffrey Street, Westminster Avenue, High Park Boulevard, Fermanagh Avenue, Wright Avenue, Fern Avenue, Garden Avenue, Galley Avenue, Pearson Avenue, Marion Street, Harvard Avenue and Grafton Avenue.

During this time, there will be no transit on Roncesvalles Avenue. The Dundas 505, College 506, Queen 501 and King 504 streetcars will drop you off at or near Roncesvalles Avenue.

Can I set up a table on the sidewalk in front of my apartment building/house?

No. Vending on public property such as sidewalks, boulevards and roads is illegal without a permit and you may be ticketed by a Toronto by-law officer.

What are some tips for a successful garage sale?

Set up early so that you are prepared for those early birds! Price all your items, either individually or in groups (e.g., books 25 cents). Display items on tables or in boxes according to type and/or price. Have a cash box or change apron with lots of coins for change. In the case of large items that can’t be carried away, an impromptu sales receipt can be drawn up with a deposit and an exchange of telephone numbers to hold the item until the traffic has dwindled and you can return with a vehicle to pick up your treasure.

What about parking?

Parking is limited at the best of times! We encourage you to walk, ride your bike or take the TTC for best access. If you must drive, kindly park your car and walk in the neighbourhood rather than cruising in your car to reduce congestion/pollution. The amount of pedestrian traffic makes driving dangerous for everyone.

Are there any designated “no parking zones”?

All the usual parking rules are in effect. Please check the posting of parking signs and ensure that you are not blocking a fire hydrant or driveway.

Are there ATM machines nearby?

Yes. The following banks have ATMs on Roncesvalles Avenue:

• TD Canada Trust (corner of Marmaduke Street)
• Scotia Bank (corner of High Park Avenue)
• Royal Bank (corner of Fern Avenue)
• CIBC (corner of High Park Avenue)

How can I reduce my environmental impact?

Vendors - please place a garbage can by the curb for litter. With the large crowds this event may attract, there can be a large amount of litter produced. At the end of the day, clean up around your property and ensure you don’t leave debris on the street. Shoppers - please hold on to your litter until you see a garbage can and then stash the trash.

Will there be a charitable aspect to RAYS 2011?

In RAYS 2008 and 2009, we asked sellers to donate 10% of their sales to the Sorauren Park Fieldhouse, a local community rec. centre.  In RAYS 2010, we asked sellers to donate 10% of their sales to the West End Food Co-op (WEFC), a local nonprofit community food co-operative. In RAYS 2011, the Redwood Shelter (a local's women's shelter) was picked.

For RAYS 2012, we are asking participants to donate 10% of their sales to the West End Food Co-op (WEFC).  http://westendfood.coop/

WEFC is a nonprofit multi-stakeholder co-operative committed to the development of community food culture in Roncey/the West End of TO. ...Specifically, they coordinate community driven food initiatives, such as the ongoing Sorauren Farmers’ Market and are currently in the midst of a community bond campaign to raise money for a retail food store.

The best way to make a donation is to send a cheque to 1229 Queen Street WestToronto, Ontario, M6K 1L2 (WEFC's mailing address).

Please note that WEFC is not a registered charity, and therefore cannot issue tax receipts.  If you would prefer to donate your proceeds to a registered charity, you can still help West End Food Co-op by donating to the Co-op Cred Program that is being jointly developed through PARC (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre)   http://parc.on.ca/

PARC is a registered charity and the joint program will allow PARC members (who are mainly living on low incomes, and include those struggling with addiction, mental/social illnesses, and lack of appropriate housing) to get involved with WEFC in exchange for credits with which they can purchase fresh, healthy, organic foods at WEFC's Food Hub store.  

RAYS buyers and sellers - have fun on May 14th!

If you have any questions that have not been addressed in this FAQ, please send an email to Chris at ronces.yardsale AT gmail.com

- Chris Lobo, Chief Organizer for the 5th Annual Roncesvalles Area Yard Sale (RAYS)

http://roncesvalles-area-yard-sale.blogspot.com