WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
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ANOTHER CCRA VICTORY OVER UEDS
CCRA's April 6 letter to Mayor Nutter, published in the Inquirer, requested a veto of enabling legislation for UED's, the six-story, three dimensional, full-motion video billboards proposed for the Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market. Although similar veto requests were made by Scenic Philadelphia, the Crosstown Coalition, a Daily News editorial, and many of you, the Mayor opted not to veto and returned the bill to Council with a letter identifying key CCRA objections - traffic safety distraction issues, elimination of Planning Commission input, and the lack of transparency/accountability relating to payments promised to chosen non-profits. The Mayor's letter noted that his objections had been addressed in an amendment, Bill 150825, negotiated by his staff and the Bill's sponsor, Councilman Squilla.
While we would have preferred a veto, it's not certain that two other Council members would have teamed up with Council people Wilson Goode, Kenyatta Johnson, and Blondell Reynolds Brown to block a Council override of the veto. Moreover, the Mayor's letter endorsing CCRA's critique was just the latest validation of our efforts. We had previously eliminated two proposed UEDs in our neighborhood (on the S.E. corner of 19th and Market and on the Bellevue garage at Broad and Locust). And thanks to the Nutter/Squilla compromise embodying CCRA's objections, the Planning Commission must opine as to whether a proposed UED is "appropriate in its scale, density, character and use for the surrounding community;" PennDOT/the Streets Dept. must sign off on vehicle and pedestrian safety; and any money given to non-profits will be monitored by a governmental entity, and must be used "exclusively for public improvements in the vicinity of the UED."
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PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, MON, 4/27, 7PM, TRINITY CENTER FOR URBAN LIFE, 2212 SPRUCE ST
In response to a CCRA request, Samantha Phillips, Director of Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management, will explain the City's plans and procedures for emergencies, including a possible rail-related accident 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.
This event is being co-sponsored by Penn's Village and Logan Square Neighborhood Association.
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CCRA HERB BOOTH AT RITT. SQ. FLOWER MARKET - 5/6 AND 5/7 - AND CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The 101th Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children's Charities is just around the corner and CCRA will again be participating and contributing by selling herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme, as well as basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, and a few others. Please come by and make a purchase to support this worthy cause. And we still need a few more volunteers - a great way to socialize with other CCRA members, as well as your random friends traversing the Square. We will have 3 people on each shift, and have openings on Wednesday, May 6 for the following slots: 11:00 am to 1:15 pm; and 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. On Thursday, May 7, we have openings for these time slots: 11:00 am to 1:15 pm; and 1:15 pm to 3:30 pm. Please email your date and shift preference to CCRA with "Flower Market" in the subject line, and please include a telephone number.
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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.
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. and the Market at the Comcast Center (215-665-9220)
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.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS
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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.
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COMMUNITY ART IN ACTION AT GRAYS FERRY TRIANGLES PLAZA, SUN, 4/19, 23rd AND SOUTH STS.
Stop by and celebrate the one year anniversary of this urban refuge by painting a mural onto the asphalt! Click here to see mural image. To keep up with other Triangle events such as food trucks and concerts, like them on Facebook. They will be selling $25 sponsorships on paint day to offset the cost of the paint, so if you have ever dreamed of commissioning a painting, now's your chance.
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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).
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JUMBO JUMBLE SALE AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING TRINITY CHURCH, 22ND & SPRUCE , Sat., 4/25, 10 AM - 3 PM
Donations may be dropped off Monday, April 20 to Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Preview sale on Friday April 24, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, click here.
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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.
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THE WISTER QUARTET CONCERT AT ACAD OF VOCAL ARTS, MON, 5/11, 7:30PM, 1920 SPRUCE ST
Hear the Wister Quartet as they perform Sketch Based Indian Themes. Tickets ate $17 per person. For more information, call 215-438-4027 or 215-978-0969.
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ART EXHIBITION AT THE TWENTY-TWO GALLERY THRU THURS 5/14, 236 S. 22ND ST.
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| "Portrait of Dorian Gray #1" (detail); acrylic on canvas; by Tyler Lyke. |
Recent mixed media abstract paintings by Philadelphia area artist Tyler Lyke at Twenty-Two Gallery.
"Eclectique is a collection of paintings inspired by a modern urban existence. The paintings reflect a cathartic journey through contemplating the idea of God, dealing with the daily struggle to survive, and a yearning to make something beautiful." - Tyler Lyke
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - APRIL 17, 2015 
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