Monday, November 30, 2015

Crime in our Neighborhood


Crime
Location
When
Theft from Vehicle
 500 Block South 24th St
 2015-11-23
Thefts                      
 2100 Block South St
 2015-11-27
Thefts
 2100 Block South St
 2015-11-25

SOSNA Newsletter

Cheer! South Street West Shopping Event & SOSNA Holiday Party

Friends & Neighbors, 
This Saturday, do your holiday shopping along South Street West! Over 25 local business are offering deals and discounts from 12-5pm on Saturday, December 5th as part of the Cheer! Holiday Shopping Event. Enjoy holiday specials and savings at both retailers and restaurants: participating restaurants will be offering deals for patrons with receipts from local retail shops!
We couldn't organize any of the projects, programs or events for our neighborhood without the dedication of our amazing volunteers. So, to say thank you we're throwing a SOSNA Volunteer Appreciation Holiday Party! Meet us at the Sidecar Bar (2201 Christian) on Thursday, December 10th from 6-8pm for snacks, beverages and the announcement of the 2015 SOSNA Volunteer of the Year! The SOSNA Community Outreach & Partnerships Committee is collecting hats, gloves and scarves for our local elementary schools; help keep our neighborhood kids warm this winter and bring a new item to the Holiday Party or the SOSNA office before December 22nd. 

Events
Shop South Street West for all of your gifts this holiday season! Get discounts, treats, and cheer at over 25 participating shops and restaurants on Saturday, December 5th from 12-5pm!
Go to www.southstreetwest.org/cheer for a full list of participating businesses and discounts! 
Events
Join the SOSNA Safety Committee for a 311 Mobile App Training and Town Watch Neighborhood Group Patrol on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm. These patrols will begin at the SOSNA Office (1901 Christian Street). This is a good opportunity to learn about how to use 311 to resolve neighborhood issues, as well as to check out what Town Watch is all about.
Events
SOSNA depends on the the tireless work of scores of volunteers. To honor your hard work and accomplishments in 2015, the SOSNA Community Outreach and Partnerships Committee is hosting a Volunteer Holiday Party on Thursday, December 10 from 6-8 PM at the Sidecar Bar (2201 Christian). Don't miss it because we'll be announcing the winner of the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award!
Events
The Leaf Collection and Recycling Program is one of several services provided by the Streets Department to honor the City's on-going commitment to recycling. This recycling program helps to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream and saves landfill space. SOSNA's closest drop-off location is Broad and Christian Streets. All leaves must be in biodegradable brown bags. For all the details, click here.
News
Our friends at Philly Foodworks have a great offer - sign up for their CSA and if you input "SOSNA" (all caps) as the coupon code, they will donate $10 back to SOSNA to support our great projects like Carpenter Green!! If you joined a SOSNA Soup Group what better way to get fresh, local ingredients for your soup creations!
 
News
Please take a minute to fill out this survey about the O'Connor swimming pool at 26th and South. What types of improvements would you like to see over the next few summers?

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

SOSNA Newsletter

Green Your Community On Giving Tuesday

 
Friends & Neighbors,
We have a day for giving thanks and two for getting deals. On December 1, 2015 we'll turn our focus to giving back. Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back, but you can have the largest impact right here in your own neighborhood. On Giving Tuesday, join SOSNA in the effort to complete Carpenter Green
Scores of SOSNA volunteers have spent years working to create a community park at the corner of 17th and Carpenter Streets, and we're excited to announce we've reach the final phase of the project! With the generous support from our community we've been able to clear a series of vacant and blighted lots, and lay the foundation for our community green space. We've laid the groundwork and completed Phase 1, now we need your help to make the final vision of Carpenter Green a reality!
Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2015 and help us reach our goal by making a donation through the Carpenter Green Donation Page and sharing this opportunity with friends, family and neighbors. All donations will go directly toward construction costs associaited with completing the park.
You can also support Carpenter Green while shopping online. On Cyber Monday, and throughout the Holiday Season, please consider purchasing your items through smile.amazon.com. Everything is the same as making a purchase via amazon's main site, but for eligible purchases, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate .5% of your purchase to SOSNA! Choose SOSNA as your Amazon Smile organization and all of your purchases can support Carpenter Green!
Events
The SOSNA office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday from 2:00pm on Wednesday, November 25th until Friday, November 27th. Happy Thanksgiving!
Events
Shop South Street West for all of your gifts this holiday season! Get discounts, treats, and cheer at over 25 participating shops and restaurants on Saturday, December 5th from 12-5pm!
Go to www.southstreetwest.org/cheer for a full list of participating businesses and discounts! 
Events
SOSNA depends on the the tireless work of scores of volunteers. To honor your hard work and accomplishments in 2015, the SOSNA Community Outreach and Partnerships Committee is hosting a Volunteer Holiday Party on Thursday, December 10 from 6-8 PM at the Sidecar Bar (2201 Christian). Don't miss it because we'll be announcing the winner of the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award!

Happy Thanksgiving


Friday, November 20, 2015

CCRA Newsletter




WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Bill 150745: Why we Should Red Light the Green Roofs Bill
CCRA NEWS AND EVENTS
Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering
Nous sommes tous maintenant les Parisiens
Office Closure
No Trash Collection
Holiday Season Package Delivery Alert
CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS:
Christmas Village Returns to Love Park
Art Exhibit
Seth Rozin of Interact Theatre
The Retirement Years: A New Frontier
Liberty One Observation Deck Opens Sat 11/28
Small Business Saturday
Rothman Ice Rink
      
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
BILL 150745: WHY WE SHOULD RED LIGHT THE GREEN ROOFS BILL
Green roofs are laudable, they diminish  sewer system runoff and their cooler surfaces drive down summer temperatures. Not so  Bill 150745 which twists the spirit of the zoning code by  providing building density bonuses in exchange for green roof developments. The Zoning Code density specifications were hammered out between communities and developers over four long years. The Code's bonus system , also a product of the same four year process, accords  increased density for developments which provide benefits for the impacted communities. In other words, the Code encourages fair trades -  the neighbors  receive  underground parking or public art and the builder receives permits to build  higher or denser structures.
 
Bill 150475's  density bonus does not offer the type of trade off sanctioned by the Zoning Code, The Bill's density bonus  visits downsides on the locally affected block faces ( more people, cars, traffic and trash) but the  upsides are city wide (less water in the City's drainage system, lower ambient temperatures in the summer).  150475 asks the neighbors next door to the supersized green roof structure to exchange a locally diminished quality of life so that the City as a whole can benefit,
 
What's the fix?  If green roofs are to be incentivized, green roof buildings should get a break on the City's storm water management service charge. You scratch my back (less storm water runoff) I'll  scratch yours (lower storm water management bills).
 
The green roof/density trade-off is not the Bill's only defect, just its most glaring deficiency. Like too many Council bills, 150475 does not address enforcement. The bill provides no penalties where  a green roof is  replaced with a roof deck. Nor does the Bill fund an inspection process, extra L and I employees to investigate whether bonus buildings contain green roofs.  Currently, two years after the Salvation Army tragedy, L and I can't even comply with its internal guidelines for supervising demolitions. Need more?   If Bill 150475 were passed,  developers could double dip by taking the 150475 density bonus AND an existing  bonus allowing for a one square foot reduction of parking lot landscaping in exchange for each square foot of green roof.  So under 150475 the community not only gets more density, it gets less neighborhood greenery.  Well at least the Bill should get high grades for diminishing  in a bonused building's water run off. Not  really. Bonuses are provided where 60% of the roof surface is green. When I went to school, a 60 was passing, but just barely.
 
The idea behind 150475 is laudable,  the execution is lacking. The bill should be sent back to the drawing board.  And when it is redrafted, shouldn't there be a special bonus  favoring resident accessible green roofs, high rise mini parks which diminish the burden on community parks and playgrounds?
 
If you wish to weigh in on Bill 150475, its sponsor is Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown (215-686-3438) who has, in the past, been receptive to community input. 
CCRA NEWS
AND EVENTS
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING GATHERING, TUE, 11/24, 7PM, TEMPLE BETH ZION-BETH ISRAEL, 18TH & SPRUCE ST


At this traditional neighborhood gathering, 12 congregations in our area's Christian, Jewish and Islamic faith communities invite residents to join them in offering thanks in their respective traditions.
Nous sommes tous maintenant les Parisiens 
The world felt different when we wrote last Friday - a millennium ago in these internet-accelerated times.  World affairs are seldom in our jurisdiction - we're a civic group, dedicated to city living in some two square miles in Philadelphia.  The attacks in Paris were attacks on city living.  We offer no analysis, politics or proposals.  What we can provide is solidarity, which we give to the people of Paris with our whole hearts.
OFFICE CLOSURE
In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, CCRA  will closed on Thursday, 11/26 and Friday, 11/27.  The office will reopen on Monday, 11/30.
NO TRASH COLLECTION ON THURS, 11/26
Addresses with Thursday pickup will be collected on Fri, 11/27.
HOLIDAY SEASON PACKAGE DELIVERY ALERT
There have been reports that delivery service packages are being stolen from people's front doors (including behind locked gates) when left there by UPS, FedEx, etc.  It is probably best to redirect your packages to a neighbor or business if you don't have a secure place for them to be left.  This may become more of a problem as we get closer to the holiday season.
CCRA MERCHANT MEMBERS DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Support 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.

Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
PhotoLounge 1909 Chestnut Street (267-322-6651)
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)
Liberty Vet Pets, 265 S. 20th St. (888-458-8587)

My Doc Urgent Care, - 1420 Locust St (215 800-1909). Show your membership card and for a $25 flu shot with this coupon.
 
Uber - Limo service Uber provides $20 off a first ride, Good for new users only. Members use promo code CCRA14.
 
Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges.

Dance Affiliate - Get $10 off  Dance Performances with your CCRA Membership.  Members use  promo code allattheprince.
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS
Christmas Village returns to Love Park, Thurs, 11/26 to Sun, 11/27, 15th & JFK
The Christmas Village, presented by NRG Home, is returning to bring the holiday atmosphere of a traditional German Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) to Center City!
Show your valid Center City Residents Association membership card and receive discounts on your favorite items! Choose from a German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a warm roll (Brötchen) to satisfy your holiday cravings; both feature a hearty complimentary side of delicious German sauerkraut!
ART EXHIBIT AT TWENTY-TWO GALLERY, "SEA TREASURES," BY ANDREA BALDECK, NOW THRU SUN, 12/6, 226 S. 22ND ST
"Nautilus Quartet" archival silver gelatin print, by Andrea Baldeck
The series Sea Treasures offers black and white still life arrangements to highlight the shapes and contours of shells, bones and carapaces.  Combined with vintage texts of design and zoology, the result is an interplay of two and three dimensions intended to engage the eye, stimulate thought, and renew our sense of wonder at the natural world.
SETH ROZIN OF INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY AT PHILA CITY INS, WED, 12/2, 6:30-7:30 PM
The Friends of the Philadelphia City Institute (PCI) Branch Library is sponsoring a program with Seth Rozin, Producing Artistic Director of InterAct Theatre Company.  Seth will speak about InterAct's upcoming move to the Drake and the company's 2015-2016 season. There will also be a special, sneak preview performance of a scene from the upcoming world premiere of #therevolution by Kristoffer Diaz featuring Mary Tuomanen and Brett Robinson.
The program will be held in the meeting room on the library's lower level. There is no elevator in the library.
"THE RETIREMENT YEARS: A NEW FRONTIER"
SERIES BY PENN'S VILLAGE, WEDS, 11/9  & 11/16,
11 AM, FREE LIBRARY, 1901 VINE ST
The generation is reinventing retirement - living longer and healthier. Instead of planning to simply relax for a few good years, expect to live for decades after leaving your careers and you want those years to be active, meaningful and fulfilling.  This two program series is devoted to this topic.

Please arrive at the Library 15 minutes early since the program is in the 4th Floor Skyline Room.  Register by calling 215 925 7333 or emailing info@pennsvillage.org.  The handicapped entrance is on Wood Street. For more information, click here. 
Liberty One Observation Deck Opens Sat, 11/28, 10 AM, 1650 Market ST
The Observation Deck has 360-degree views as far as 40 miles out, six giant, multilingual tablets where you can zoom in on city streets, a giant, greenish, selfie-friendly bust of Ben Franklin, a sound track of locally inspired tunes you already know, and, should nature call 883 feet up, restrooms. The gift shops are on the ground floor,  just before security and across from a massive replica of Ben Franklin's feet.  Tickets can be purchased on-site or online.  For more information, click here.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, 11/28
Help support the shops in our neighborhood.  Click here to learn which businesses are participating.
ICE SKATING AT DILWORTH PARK, NOW THRU 2/28/16, CITY HALL
The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, offering the new Rothman Cabin, where skaters can enjoy warm drinks and food without having to take off their skates.  The rink will also offer special sled skating accommodations for disabled skaters.  Sled skating for children and adults will be supervised by trained staff to help push the sleds or train sled skaters in using the equipment. Sleds can be reserved during scheduled sessions that begin in January. For schedule and ticket prices, click here.

© 2015 Center City Residents' Association