Thursday, September 29, 2016

CCRA Newsletter

New CCRA logo
Our Sponsors

 Firstrust Bank    Di Bruno Brothers    Moore Brothers Wine Company       William Penn House     AT&T      Elfant Wissahickon 
Mark your Calendar

Solar Discount Program Kickoff - Wed, 10/5, 5:30, 22nd Spruce St.School Fair, Thurs, 10/13, 5-7pm, Franklin Inst, 222 N. 20th St.
Voter Registration Deadline: 10/11/201658th Annual House Tour, Sun., 10/23, 1-5PM
Greenfield Fundraiser, Thurs, 10/13, 6:30-8:30pm, Pen & Pencil Club, 1522 Latimer St.Pub. Forum: Comm. David Perri, Thurs, 10/27, 7PM, Tenth Church 17th & Spruce St

See Details Below
Quick Clicks
Tour
Don't miss the 58th Annual Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) Fall House Tour, Sunday, October 23rd from 1 to 5 pm, rain or shine.  Eleven spectacular Rittenhouse and Fitler Square homes including a solar powered all electric home in Fitler Square, and a gem on the "secret" block of Center City, Ringgold Place.  We are grateful to this year's tour sponsors:  AMC Delancey; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Allan Domb Real Estate; Clemens Construction; Dranoff Properties; and Robin Apartments.
 
The self-guided tour begins at Trinity Church, 22nd & Spruce Streets or Beth Zion Beth Israel at 18th& Spruce Streets.  Participants receive a day-of-tour 15% discount for dinner at area restaurants (reservations suggested), including  Audrey Claire, Twenty Manning Grill, and LaFontana Della Cita.
 
Tickets $30 before Oct 21, $35 after.
 
Tickets also available Sat, Oct 1st to Fri, Oct 22nd at:
  • CCRA website or 215-546-6719, or office (1600 Market St., Suite 2500)
  • Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd Street
  • Jezabel's Cafe, 26th & Pine St 
  • Jomici Apothecary, 273 S. 15th St
  • Maxx's Produce, 255 S. 20th St
  • Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St (nw cor.)
  • Waffles & Wedges, 1511 Pine St
On Oct 23 Tour Day:
  • 18th & Spruce Streets, Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
  • 22nd & Spruce Streets, Trinity Center for Urban Life 
What's New in the Neighborhood
Solar
Eat, Drink and Save the Earth! Learn about Solar Discount Meeting, Wed, 10/5, 5:30pm, Trinity Church, 22nd & Spruce

Wine. Cheese. Di Bruno's goodies. Save money with the Solarize Center City program, providing  solar arrays at reduced cost (with added discount for CCRA members) installed by Solar States. Register here (we need a headcount).
 
Bring your neighbors! The more participants, the greater the discount - up to 12% depending on the number participating.  This up-front discount combines with a 30% federal tax credit. Savings pile up as electric bills shrink over time, because the Sun is free.
 
Applications for the program accepted through Jan. 31, 2017.  Contracts to be signed by Feb 28. Open to all residents in CCRA's territory (JFK to South, Broad to Schuylkill). Only CCRA members qualify for additional discount. For more information, click here.
CCRA News & Events

Mike"Inside City Hall" - CCRA Member Q&A with Philly Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis

Graciously following up on the offer he made as our Annual Meeting speaker, Philadelphia Managing Director Mike DiBerardinis will answer your questions here in a monthly INSIDE CITY HALL feature.  Email questions to centercity@centercityresidents.org (include "Inside City Hall" in the subject).  CCRA will share them with "Mike D", who will decide what questions to answer.  Answers will be brief, due to space limitations. The larger the group of people affected by your questions the better. CCRA reserve the right to select/edit questions.  
Free Tickets to 58th Annual House Tour, Sun, 10/23, 1-5PM

Volunteers needed to docent beautiful homes and condos from 1:00PM to 3:00PM or from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.  Greet tour goers, protect household items, and foot traffic.  Free ticket to use before/after your volunteer assignment.  If you wish to volunteer, email centercity@centercityresidents.org.

Fair
5th Annual School Fair
Choosing The Right Elementary School For Your Center City Child
Thursday, October 13, 2016, 5-7pm
The Franklin Institute - 222 N. 20th Street
Speak directly with representatives from public, charter, independent and parochial elementary schools to learn about education options in the CCRA area.
Perri
Public Forum with David Perri, Commissioner of Licensing & Inspections, Thurs, 10/27, 7PM, Tenth Church, 17th & Spruce St
 
A wonderful opportunity to hear L&I Comm. Perri and have a direct dialogue with him about L&I issues affecting our neighborhood and, to get answers to their L&I-related questions. 
Neighborhood News and Events
Are You Registered to Vote? 
If not, click here.

Voter Registration Deadline: 10/11/2016
Dine Out for the Environment, Thursday, 10/13

Dine Out for the Environment pledge a percentage of their sales that day to the Clean Air Council, headquartered in our neighborhood. For a list of participating restaurants, click here.  The Clean Air Council, Philadelphia's oldest environmental non-profit organization has been working to protect your right to breathe clean air for almost 35 years. http://cleanair.org/
 Greenfield School Kindergarten and First Grade Open House, Thurs, 10/13, 8:45am

Our neighborhood public elementary school, located at 22nd and Chestnut Streets, is holding an Open House for prospective kindergarten and first grade students on Thurs, Oct. 13.  Hear from the principal and current parents of Greenfield kids while you have a bite to eat, visit a classroom, tour the school, and ask lots of questions.  Click here for more information.  No need to preregister. Enter through Sansom St. side of building.
 
Election Protection Volunteers Needed For Election Day
The ACLU is recruiting volunteers for Election Day.  All volunteers will need to attend a brief training webinar, which will be offered at multiple times. To sign up to be an Election Day volunteer:  For lawyers, law students, and paralegals, click here. For non-lawyers, click here Questions?  Contact Sara Mullen, Associate Director, ACLU of PA, smullen@aclupa.org.
Greenfield Fundraiser, Thurs, 10/13, 6:30-8:30pm, Pen & Pencil Club, 1522 Latimer St.

Come to the happy hour and support Albert M. Greenfield. Pen & Pencil Club has agreed to donate a percentage of the bar proceeds to the school and there is NO cover charge. All you have to do is drink and a percentage of your bill will go to support a great public school! 

Contact Ben Waxman (benwaxman@gmail.com) for more information.
Although not required, donations of the following supplies will also be accepted at the event:
#2 Pencils   Crayons               Paper Towels
Kleenex       Hand sanitizer     Paper (81/2 x 11)
Dry eraser markers                 Dry erasers

NextMove at the Prince Theater, RUBBERBANDance Group, Thurs, 10/13 to Sun, 10/16, 1412 Chestnut St
The cutting-edge energy of hip-hop, meshed with the beauty and discipline of ballet, creates a new and exciting style. Under the choreographic direction of Victor Quijada, himself a master of both forms, this Montréal company presents Vic's Mix, a compilation that explores a variety of musical styles from pop to salsa to classical, including the stunning interpretation of Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights from Romeo & Juliet. Recognized as a magnetic, innovative and charismatic dancer who performed with Tharp, Ballet Tech and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Quijada has created works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, BODYTRAFFIC, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Scottish Dance Theatre. To purchase tickets, click herephone 215-422-4580 or at the Prince Theater Box Office. CCRA members can receive $10 off single tickets using the code SAVE10
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.

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)
Crow & The Pitcher, 267 S. 19th St (267-876-2808)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)

Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their concerts.

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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© 2016 Center City Residents' Association 
Center City Residents' Association, 1600 Market Street, Suite 2500, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Military Order of the Purple Heart

You may have noticed that the surface parking lot at 23rd and South Streets was recently repaved. That was to accommodate GreenDrop, which is a donation center for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "The Military Order of the Purple Heart provides direct service and emergency assistance to ALL Veterans in VA and Military hospitals, and offers help and free assistance to Veterans, dependents and survivors." They accept donations of clothing (all types and sizes), clothing accessories, shoes, glassware/kitchenware, cameras, MP3 players, collectibles, linens, toys/games/bikes, sporting goods, jewelry, antiques, tools, and small appliances. This will be a permanent collection site.

Hours - Monday thru Friday: 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 6pm. 

More information here and here.







Thursday, September 22, 2016

CCRA Newsletter

New CCRA logo
Our Sponsors

 Firstrust Bank    Di Bruno Brothers    Moore Brothers Wine Company       William Penn House     AT&T      Elfant Wissahickon 
Mark your Calendar

Solar Discount Program Kickoff - Wed, 10/5, 5:30, 22nd Spruce St.

Greenfield Fundraiser, Thurs, 10/13, 6:30-8:30pm, Pen & Pencil Club, 1522 Latimer St.

5th Annual School Fair, Thurs, 10/13, 5-7pm, Franklin Inst, 222 N. 20th St.

Voter Registration Deadline: 10/11/2016

SAVE THE DATE:  58th Annual House Tour, Sun., 10/23, 1-5PM

Public Forum: Commissioner David Perri, Thurs, 10/27, 7PM, 10th Presbyterian Church 17th & Spruce St

New Hearing on 18th & Delancey Hse - Thurs 11/17, 9:30am, Rm Ctrm 602, City Hall
See Details Below
What's New in the Neighborhood

"Inside City Hall" - A CCRA Member Q&A Forum with Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis

Graciously following up on the offer he made as our Annual Meeting speaker, Philadelphia Managing Director Mike DiBerardinis will answer your questions here in a monthly INSIDE CITY HALL feature.  Email questions to centercity@centercityresidents.org (include "Inside City Hall" in the subject).  CCRA will share them with Mike D, who will decide what questions he can answer.  Answers will be brief, due to space limitations.  Please send questions dealing with issues broader than complaints specific to only you.  CCRA necessarily reserves the right to select and edit questions before forwarding.  
Public Meeting Re Revised Plans for 2402 Market, Mon, 9/26, 7pm, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St
 
All are invited to comment on new plans for the old "Market Place Design Center" at 2402 Market. Current plans are for an 11 story office building to serve as Aramark's headquarters rather than the 20 story mixed residential/office tower that was presented to the public last spring.  Click HERE to read more about this important project and to access the plans presented to the City by the developer.  
CCRA News & Events
A Solar Energy Letter to the Neighborhood From CCRA'er Judy Wicks

This fall, I'm teaming up with the Center City Residents Association, the Clean Air Council and  my home's solar energy contractor, Solar States,  on the  Solarize Center City campaign so residents of Center City West can use their collective buying power to purchase rooftop solar systems at greatly reduced costs.

To register for the campaign kick-off event, click here:

The solar panels that Solar States installed on my roof went active in March. I am very happy with the quality of their work and the tremendous savings monthly electric bills as low as $7, in my all-electric house (no natural gas). Moreover, the renewable energy curbs climate change and improves air quality, reducing asthma and other pollution related illnesses. Solar States is Philadelphia owned and operated and creates green jobs supporting our local economy.

Solarize Center City offers discounts to residents who solarize together - the more neighbors the greater the discount which can be as much as 30 cents per installed watt, 35 cents for CCRA members. A typical row home needs 5000 to 7500 watts so the maximum Solar States Discount could be as much as $2625 AND there's a federal tax credit of 30% (click for info on tax credit
not to mention reduced electric bills  over the years. Remember, the sun is free!

For more information visit: www.SolarizeCenterCity.com.
Or email me at info@judywicks.com
To register for the campaign kick-off event on October 5th, click here 
 
SAVE THE DATE

CCRA 58th Annual House Tour
Sunday, October 23, 2016  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Volunteers Needed for the 58th Annual House Tour, Sun, 10/23, 1-5PM

Hosts/Hostesses are stationed in beautiful homes and condos from 1:00PM until 3:00PM or from 3:00PM until 5:00PM.  Duties include greeting tour goers, protecting household items, and encouraging a safe flow of foot traffic.  As thanks for your gift of time, you will receive a free ticket to use either before or after your volunteer assignment to tour other homes. If you wish to volunteer, email us at centercity@centercityresidents.org.
5th Annual School Fair
Choosing The Right Elementary School For Your Center City Child
Thursday, October 13, 2016, 5-7pm
The Franklin Institute - 222 N. 20th Street
Speak directly with representatives from public, charter, independent and parochial elementary schools to learn about education options in the CCRA area.
Public Forum with David Perri, Commissioner of Licensing & Inspections, Thurs, 10/27, 7PM, 10th Presbyterian Church, 17th & Spruce St
 
Here's a wonderful opportunity to hear what Commissioner Perri has to say and have a direct dialogue with him about L&I issues that affect our neighborhood and for residents to get answers to their L&I-related questions. 
Neighborhood News and Events
325 So 18th Conservatorship Hearing Postponed to Thurs Nov 17, 9:30 Ctrm 602
 
Neighbors interested in the conservatorship proceedings re the derelict property on the southeast corner of 18th and Delancey can attend the rescheduled hearing. Michael McIlhinney, Esquire, the attorney for the parties seeking the appointment of a conservator can be contacted at  mmcilhinney@otlp.com.
Open Streets PHL on South Street, Sat. 9/24, 8am - 1pm

Philly Free Streets, inspired by the car-free days during last year's Pope's visit, and modeled on the Open Streets programs in over 120 North American cities, will span South Street, from Front Street all the way to the Schuylkill River. From there, it jogs up the Schuylkill River Trail to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and on to the streets of Parkside and West Fairmount Park.  To view list of street closures and traffic information, click here.
 Construction Alert!  South Street Bridge, 2800 South Street thru 9/30, Night Work 9PM-3AM

Phase 3B (Paving) - One full drive lane and bike lane will be provided for both eastbound and westbound traffic, and be controlled via flagger.
Free Street Trees 

The Friends of Schuylkill River Park Tree Tenders is accepting applications for free street trees to be planted by volunteers next April. Help make Center City greener and healthier! For an application email Susan Kahn.
Election Protection Volunteers Needed For Election Day
The ACLU is recruiting volunteers for Election Day.  All volunteers will need to attend a brief training webinar, which will be offered at multiple times. To sign up to be an Election Day volunteer:  For lawyers, law students, and paralegals, click here. For non-lawyers, click here Questions?  Contact Sara Mullen, Associate Director, ACLU of PA, smullen@aclupa.org.
Sign up for the Philadelphia City Institute Library Email Newsletter
The Free Library, PCI branch, on Rittenhouse Square, is starting a new email newsletter to be sent to all interested readers. The newsletter will keep readers informed about branch events, special holiday or emergency closings, and other branch news. If you would like to be on the email list, please click here.
Art Exhibition at Twenty-Two Gallery: "GEOLOGIC," by Andrea Krupp, Now thru Sun, 10/9

Volcano and sight lines - acrylic and graphite - 25 x 40 in. by Andrea Krupp

"With the recognition of the current pressures on Earth and that we are living in the Anthropocene epoch, this work seeks to open new perspectives and provoke questions about our future existence on Earth." - Andrea Krupp
Are You Registered to Vote? 
If not, click here.

Voter Registration Deadline: 10/11/2016
Greenfield Fundraiser, Thurs, 10/13, 6:30-8:30pm, Pen & Pencil Club, 1522 Latimer St.

Come to the happy hour and support Albert M. Greenfield. Pen & Pencil Club has agreed to donate a percentage of the bar proceeds to the school and there is NO cover charge. All you have to do is drink and a percentage of your bill will go to support a great public school! 

Contact Ben Waxman (benwaxman@gmail.com) for more information.
Although not required, donations of the following supplies will also be accepted at the event:
#2 Pencils   Crayons               Paper Towels
Kleenex       Hand sanitizer     Paper (81/2 x 11)
Dry eraser markers                 Dry erasers

NextMove at the Prince Theater, RUBBERBANDance Group, Thurs, 10/13 to Sun, 10/16, 1412 Chestnut St
The cutting-edge energy of hip-hop, meshed with the beauty and discipline of ballet, creates a new and exciting style. Under the choreographic direction of Victor Quijada, himself a master of both forms, this Montréal company presents Vic's Mix, a compilation that explores a variety of musical styles from pop to salsa to classical, including the stunning interpretation of Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet. Recognized as a magnetic, innovative, and charismatic dancer who performed with Tharp, Ballet Tech and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Quijada has created works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, BODYTRAFFIC, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Scottish Dance Theatre. To purchase tickets, click herephone 215-422-4580 or at the Prince Theater Box Office. CCRA members can receive $10 off single tickets using the code SAVE10
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.

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)
Crow & The Pitcher, 267 S. 19th St (267-876-2808)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)

Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their concerts.

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
Useful Links


Like us on Facebook


© 2016 Center City Residents' Association 
Center City Residents' Association, 1600 Market Street, Suite 2500, Philadelphia, PA 19103