Thursday, August 11, 2016

CCRA Newsletter


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Mark your Calendar

Free Movie Screening at Schuylkill Banks, TONITE, 8pm, 25th & Walnut

Philly Mojito March, Sat, 8/13, noon - 10 PM, Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St

Broadway Dreams Generat1ons - Sat, 8/13, 3PM & 8 PM Kimmel Ctr, 300 S. Broad St.

Save the Date: PA Supreme Court to Hear Argument in School Funding Lawsuit, Tue, 9/13

See Details Below
What's New in the Neighborhood
A First Step: Realty Tax Reform Advances In Harrisburg

The state constitutional "uniformity clause" amendment, permitting Philadelphia commercial properties to be taxed at a rate higher than residential properties, has advanced in Harrisburg. HB 171 passed with, drum roll please, bipartisan support by a 170 - 25 House vote and a 49 -2 Senate margin, the first step in a challenging multistep process. The amendment must next pass once again in both houses and then win voter approval in a ballot referendum. HB 171 has the backing of Mayor Kenney and is being advanced by The Philadelphia Growth Coalition, an alliance of mostly commercial and union groups with a few outliers such as the Committee of Seventy.  The proposal enables increases in commercial realty tax rates up to 15% higher than residential rates provided that the incremental revenues are dedicated to wage and business tax reductions.  In a March 16 What's New, we reported on CCRA President Chuck Goodwin's March 9 letter to Council supporting the nexus between the wage/business reduction and the commercial realty tax increase. The Job Growth Coalition contends that decreases in these taxes will encourage business growth which, in turn, will support office construction and increase assessed values. The Center City District, a PGC charter member, maintains that decreased wage/business taxes would counter the decline in Center City office jobs, which, despite a current resurgence, are still 1.2 % below 1990 levels. The CCD asserts that while white collar employers relocate to avoid tax bites, meds and eds, tied to their institutional superstructure, hospitals and classrooms with city addresses, cannot relocate. The Center City District reports that, since 2005,  medical based Philadelphia employment has risen by 21% and education jobs have risen by  6%. Overall, since 1970, the number of jobs in the City has dropped by 25.2% while, over the same period, jobs in New York City have risen 14.5% and in Boston by 18.3%.
CCRA News & Events
Homes Needed for CCRA's 58th Annual Fall House Tour

Our 58th Annual House Tour on Sunday, Oct. 23 will be an important fundraiser for the Association.  As hundreds of your neighbors have done before, would you be willing to place your home, apartment, or condo on the Tour this year?  We provide insurance and multiple on-site hosts/hostesses.  You receive our deepest thanks, as well as recognition in our Tour Book and the Center City Quarterly.  Please contact the CCRA office for further information at 215-546-6719 or centercity@centercityresidents.org.
Needed: Editor For Weekly Enewsletter; Business Manager For Hard Copy Quarterly
 
This could be you.  CCRA seeks an editor to handle this publication.  Duties including editing, copying, reviewing presentation and order of items and should take about 1 to 2 hours per week.  The editor may supply editorial items for this publication but isn't being asked to fill this spot every week.  he generous CCRA compensation and benefits package includes ample public recognition and abundant eternal gratitude. 
 
Further, we are always seeking copy for the newsletter. 500 words maximum.  
 
But wait!  There's more!  The Center City Quarterly, our hard copy publication,  needs a business manager to solicit advertisements, monitor collections, and otherwise ensure the smooth functioning of the business end of the CCQ.  The amount of work will fluctuate with the publication calendar but should average to about 1 to 2 hours per week.
Save The Date: Tuesday, 9/13
PA Supreme Court School Funding Lawsuit

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Rm 456 in City Hall at 9 AM in the education funding lawsuit. 
 
This lawsuit seeks to ensure a long-term solution to the school funding crisis, so that all Pennsylvania children receive an adequate education, no matter where they live.

Citizens who attend the hearing can show the court that this case is an important civic issue.
 
Neighborhood News and Events
Free Screening of Creed at the Schuylkill Banks, TONITE, 8/11, 8 PM, Walnut Street Bridge, 25th & Walnut

You can watch a Philly-centric flick mere steps away from where it was filmed. That's right, this week, the Schuylkill Banks at the Walnut Street Bridge (one of the filming locations for Creed) is hosting a free screening of Creed at 8 p.m. Tip: Arrive a little early for free snacks, drinks and a pre-show raffle.
The City Needs Your Input on Philly Free Streets!

The City of Philadelphia is seeking public input and ideas for planning a new event to take place on Saturday, 9/24, called Philly Free Streets. Philly Free Streets will temporarily close select City streets to vehicles so Philadelphians can socialize, bike, walk, dance, and play in our streets. The route will run from South Street at Front Street, to the beautiful Schuylkill River Trail, along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, and into Fairmount Park.   This event promotes active, family-friendly, and healthy activities.  If you would, please complete this short survey: Philly Free Streets Survey
Philly Mojito March, Sat, 8/13, Fox & Hound, noon to 10 PM, 1501 Spruce St.

Any fans of mojitos should make plans to check out the Philly Mojito March, a day drinking extravaganza on Saturday. The mojito bar crawl will bring guests to eight bars in the area for eight delicious cocktails. Tickets are $65 per person and are available online. The crawl starts at Fox and Hound.
Broadway Dreams Generat1on, Sat, 8/13, 3 PM and 8 PM, Kimmel Ctr, 300 S. Broad St.

After a week of intense musical training, the Kimmel Center hosts a performance by aspiring Broadway stars for the Broadway Dreams Generat1on performance. Tickets start at just $22.
Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy, Now thru Tues, 8/16, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St, 1726 Locust St.

Tickets are now on sale for The Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy at the Curtis Institute of Music.   Ching-Yun Hu, founder, artistic director, and concert pianist, is a center city resident and a faculty member at Temple University. For concert schedule, tickets, and more information go to: pypa.info/

New Mormon Temple Open House, Wed, 8/10 thru Fri, 9/9, Must Reserve in Advance
 
The general public is invited to attend a free open house of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania  Mormon Temple. Reservations are requested. To register, click here.

Open House Dates:  Wednesday, August 10, through Friday, September 9, 2016, except for Sundays.

Dress:  Modest dress is requested.

Tours:  Open house tours begin with a short video presentation providing an overview of temples and why they are significant to members of the Church. Following the video, a tour host will escort you through the temple, explaining the purpose of each room and answering questions as time allows. At the conclusion of the tour, you are invited to a reception area to have any further questions answered.
Are You Registered to Vote? 
If not, click here.

Voter Registration Deadline: 10/11/2016
Penn Medicine presents "Stay Active for Life (SAIL)" 8/30 thru 10/20, Tues & Thurs, 6-7PM, 1800 Lombard St
 
Classes are specifically designed for people 65 years or older to help improve balance and mobility, reducing the risk of falls, and improving quality of life. Each class can be tailored to fit individual needs and are perfect for any fitness level - you can even participate sitting down! To register, email Joseph Muniak, MS, OTR/L or call 215-893-6579.  For more information, click here.
CCRA Merchant Member 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.

Computer Troubleshooters,108 S. 20th St. (215-825-2101)
Crow & The Pitcher, 267 S. 19th St (267-876-2808)
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)
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)
Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577)
Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors,2203 South St. (215-546-1889)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
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.
My Doc Urgent Care, - 1420 Locust St (215 800-1909). Show your membership card and for a $25 flu shot with this coupon
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