Friday, April 3, 2015

CCRA Newsletter



WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Bid on a Vacation With POTUS
Four Reply to Mayoral Questionnaire
Look Sweet on a Bike Share Seat Starting 4/23
CCRA NEWS AND EVENTS
Public Meeting with the Office of Emergency Management
CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS:
YIP + NExT #BGSCouchTalk
StandUp4Transportation Rally
Albert M Greenfield School Registration
First Book Sale in Over 10 Years by Friends of PCI
RSFMCC Garden Party
Acad of Vocal Arts Presents "Faust"

  
       
OUR SPONSORS








Penn Med Ritt logo
     
   

If you wou ld like to don ate  to C C RA, click  bel ow.

undefined


Like us on Facebook



WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

BID ON A  VACATION WITH POTUS AT CCRA'S MONOPOLY PARTY, MON., APR. 13, 6 - 8:30 PM, FREEMAN'S AUCTION , 1808 CHESTNUT ST.
For auction on Mon the 13 th ,  a July week at a four bedroom home on Martha's Vineyard, the island  retreat of Barry, Michelle, the girls, and Beau, secret service code name  DOTUS.  If your bid does not prevail, drown your sorrow in Monopoly Madness (our secret  Southern Comfort / citrus concoction) and/or wine courtesy of Moore Brothers,  which, along with Di Bruno's tasty hors d'oeuvres, will facilitate deft choices among more than 60 silent auction items which include gift cards to 13 neighborhood restaurants; Phillies and Union tickets; play and movie passes ; a home cooked gourmet German beer dinner (for 8) and dinner (for 4) with wine from a cellar featuring a thousand bottles ; a weekend in Cape May ( 3 BRs, 2 bath, sleeps 8) And in addition to supporting CCRA you will be toasting Joan and Dane Wells , the 2015 recipients of the Lenora Berson Community Service Award.  Tickets start at $50 for those under 35 and $75 for everyone else, and can be purchased on line by clicking here or you can call 215-546-6719.
                         
Sponsored by William Penn House, AQ Rittenhouse, AT&T, and Firstrust Bank.  All proceeds will support CCRA activities devoted to making Center City a better place to live, work, and play through the preservation, enhancement, and celebration of urban living.  CCRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Ticket price, less $35/ticket, is tax deductible.  Official registration and financial statements can be obtained from the PA Dept. of State by calling, toll free, 800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.
FOUR REPLY TO MAYORALTY QUESTIONNAIRE: ANTHONY WILLIAMS CHANNELS SIMON & GARFUNKEL
So far, Mayoral Candidate Anthony Williams campaign brings to mind Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence". In contrast to candidates Lynn Abraham, Nelson Diaz, Jim Kenney, and Doug Oliver, Williams has not responded to the Crosstown Coalition Questionnaire which was transmitted on February 11 and again on March 3 with a request that responses be received by March 13, in advance of a candidate's night held by four Crosstown member associations. Williams staffers promise a reply shortly. Highlights of the answers and verbatim responses are enclosed.  The highlight answers (or click here for the detailed responses) received to date contain differing takes  on some hot topics such as the ten year tax abatement; the frequency of real property reassessments; the merits of an independent commission, not Council, mapping its own electoral districts; and the sale of delinquent tax liens to private interests for collection. One interesting takeaway, all four candidates agree that Inspector General Amy Kurland's office should be made permanent.  And apologies to contender Milton Street. Given the controversy surrounding his residences, it should not be surprising that the CCRA office has been unable to locate a Street campaign email address to deliver the questionnaire. 
LOOK SWEET ON A BIKE SHARE SEAT STARTING 4/23
Go half crazy and take one of Philadelphia's new  bike share two wheelers out for a spin. The  program, "Indego,"  begins operations  April 23.  The pricing: $15 monthly  memberships  provide unlimited trips of 1 hour or less ($4/hour for each trip in excess of an hour).  Annual memberships, which cost $10, entitle users to unlimited trips at $4/hour.  For out of towners, tire kickers, etc., cash and single day options are available.  In this first phase, bikes will be stationed at 60 or so locations. To unlock the bikes, members will be provided  key fobs (delivered by mail) or the credit card used to purchase the membership may also be used to unlock bikes.  All bikes have built in baskets, bells, and lights and, if you park at a bike station, there is no need to carry a lock.  However, riders need to provide their own helmets (though a helmet is not required).  For more information, including a map locating bike stations, or to sign up, go to www.rideindego.com .  (NOTE:  For months, CCRA has urged the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities to provide more bike stations in our neighborhood.  Rest assured that we will continue to do so.)
CCRA NEWS 
AND EVENTS
PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, MON, 4/27, 7PM, TRINITY CENTER FOR URBAN LIFE, 2212 SPRUCE ST
In response to neighborhood concerns, CCRA is pleased to announce that Samantha Phillips, Director of Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management, will explain the  City's plans and procedures in place for many situations, including should an accident occur on the Schuylkill tracks.  Following a brief presentation, there will be a monitored discussion with audience members.  Please submit questions to the Center City office at  centercity@centercityresidents.org.  And please keep in mind that freight rail traffic is regulated by the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT); the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City government and CCRA do not have regulatory authority over CSX or its rights of way.  Attached is  a brief information piece (drafted by our Treasurer, Walter Spencer) that you may find helpful.
CCRA MERCHANT MEMBERS DISCOUNT PROGRAM
S upport our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount  (described here)  to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card (Di Bruno Bros. has its own CCRA card) and personal identification.

Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St, (215-772-1911)
Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors,2203 South St. (215-546-1889)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Rittenhouse Pet Supply, 135 S. 20th St (215-569-2555)
Computer Troubleshooters ,108 S. 20th St. (215-825-2101)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. and the Market at the Comcast Center (215-665-9220) 
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
PhotoLounge  1909 Chestnut Street (267-322-6651)
Uber - Limo service Uber provides $20 off a first ride, Good for new users only.  Members use code CCRA14.
Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges.
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS
YIP + NExT #BGSCouchTalk: Education, MON, 4/6, 6-8 PM, Free Lib of Phila., 1901 Vine St.
Young Involved Philadelphia (YIP) has partnered with Blueprint Global Solutions and the Urban League of Philadelphia's young professional affiliate NExT to bring you a lively and candid discussion on education led by young city leaders.  Hear from Philadelphia change makers representing the arts, business, and government sectors on the current and future state of education in the city. Fee event. For more information and to reserve a ticket, click here.
StandUp4Transportation RALLY, THURS., 4/9, 8:45 AM, IN DILWORTH PARK
April 9th has been designated as National Transportation Infrastructure Day.  Events are being held across the country to highlight the tremendous economic impact of our highways and transit systems and urge critical federal action and investment in our nation's transportation infrastructure. Consider joining the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and a growing group of businesses, labor organizations, community groups, and transportation advocates on the west side of City Hall to show your support.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will kick off the rally at 9 AM. U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster, Members of the region's Congressional delegation, and PennDOT Acting Secretary Leslie Richards will also address the crowd.
ALBERT M. GREENFIELD SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND TOUR INFORMATION FOR 2015
Greenfield School, located at  22 nd  and Chestnut, serving grades K-8, is now accepting registration for children living within the school's catchment area: the south side of the Ben Franklin Parkway to the north side of Bainbridge St., and from the west side of Broad St. to the Schuylkill River.  Only children living within the catchment will be admitted. When registering at Greenfield School, you must bring your child's original birth certificate or passport, his/her vaccination records, your own government issued photo ID, and your original gas and electric bill from the past month as proof of residence.  Water or cell phone bills are not accepted as proof of residence.

Tours:  Greenfield offers school tours on the 2nd Thursday of each month.  All tours  begin at 9:00 am.  No need to pre-register.  The next Tours will be: April 9, and May 14.  Contact Amy Arcaro if you have any questions at  amygarcaro@gmail.com  or visit the Greenfield website at  www.greenfieldhsa.org.
BOOK SALE BY FRIENDS OF PCI LIBRARY, SAT 4/18, 11AM - 4PM, 1905 LOCUST ST.
The Friends of the Philadelphia City Institute Library will be holding a used book, CD, and DVD sale and are seeking relatively recent used books in excellent condition, CDs and DVDs.  Donations can be dropped when the library is open.  The event will also feature the sale of homemade baked goods. Proceeds for programs, materials, and equipment at the PCI branch. 
RSFMCC GARDEN PARTY ON SUN., 4/19, 2-5 PM, AT CHIMA (20TH AND JFK) AND FLOWER MARKET ON MAY 6-7
Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children's Charities invites all to its Garden Party honoring Center City resident, CHOP top doc, John J. "Jack" Downes.  For more information, go to www.rittenhousesquareflowermarket.org. RSFMCC also is now accepting tax deductible donations for its collectibles table at the Flower Market May 6 and 7.  Costume jewelry, bric-a-brac, artwork, housewares/glassware, and re-gifted items, all in good-excellent condition.  To donate, email rsfma@aol.com or call 215-668-2941 by April 20.  And don't forget to visit the Flower Market May 6 and 7, from 9-6 (rain or shine) for plants (including CCRA's herb booth), crafts, collectibles, last minute Mother's Day gifts, and activities for young and old alike.

Funds raised will be used for: free group sessions for children who have lost a close family member (THE CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN); electronic devices for children with neurological disorders (for HMS SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY); fulfilling requests and special treats for critically ill children and those in shelters (for LITTLE SMILES PA, INC.); and dental support for North Phila. children. with no other dental care (for ST. CHRISTOPHER'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN).
ACAD OF VOCAL ARTS PRESENTS CHARLES GOUNOD'S "FAUST" 4/25 , 4/28  4/30, and 5/2, 7:30 PM, 1920 SPRUCE ST
A classic tale of sin and redemption.  Dr. Faust in despair and near suicide, his passions reawakened by the sound of young men and women outside his window, he curses God and summons Satan. The Devil, Méphistophélès, appears and producing the beguiling vision of a young village girl, Marguerite, convinces Faust to exchange his soul for the chance to revisit youth and desire. Ticket
Prices: $60 Adults / $50 Seniors / $25 30 & Under / $10 Students. For more information, click here.

No comments:

Post a Comment