Thursday, December 19, 2019

CCRA Newsletter

Center City Residents' Association, 1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Weekly E-Newsletter
News and Updates
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CCRA's board and staff would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our members and sponsors who supported us in this year of change and progress.  It's hard to stay one step ahead of legislation, public safety and quality of life issues that impact our neighborhood, but with your help we had many successes.  Below is just a short summary of accomplishments for the year:
CCRA Moved to a New Office
In January CCRA move to Wework at the new Brandywine Building on 1900 Market, which brings us closer to our members.  The space has suited our needs and members who've visited the office love the layout and amenities.  

Guests at the Board Meeting
We had various guests speak with the Board about upcoming projects impacting our neighborhood and city.  Guests include Sen. Larry Farnese, Rep. Brian Sims, Brandywine Realty Trust, and AT&T. 
Our Committees Were Hard At Work 

The Remapping Committee
The Committee was busy preserving locations preserving the existing mix of historic and eclectic buildings on Chestnut, Sansom and Walnut Streets from 15th to 19th Streets and the 1500 block of Locust Street by reducing the skyplane, downzoning and other measures.  A historic building designation task force was born out of this work; the task force has already nominated one building for the historic register. 
Historic Preservation Committee
The Committee met with City planning staff to figures out ways to merge Citizen Planner efforts and the Task Force.  The Committee also participated with Penn Praxis in the development and review of the Preservation Tool Kit.  And, the committee disseminated information about historic preservation to 1) keep people abreast of situations (e.g. Task Force updates), 2) increase their knowledge (articles about houses & their history, about preservation concepts such as infill, etc.), 3) recruit new members, and 4) make CCRA membership aware of this committee as a resource for them.
Streets Committee
The Streets Committee worked with oTIS on several issues of neighborhood concern, including bike lanes on Market, JFK, Lombard, South, 22nd , Spruce and Pine Streets, the Chestnut Street Loading Pilot Project, and big belly issues.
Membership Committee
The Committee has been working to change the membership program in order to "get the word out" about CCRA to increase our membership numbers.  They've done this by, participating in various events, marketing to our ever-changing demographic, and adding membership benefit packages.
Community Meetings
CCRA hosted two community meetings.  On December 2, we have a community meeting regarding the safety of Rittenhouse Square and the neighborhood.  Over 200 attendees came to hear representatives from the 9
th District Police.  From this, CCRA is developing a task force which will have our first meeting to brainstorm ideas in January. 
And back in March, we hosted an education forum on programs related to Property Tax Relief/Deferral and the City's Water and Sewer Line Insurance. 
 Legislative Testimony
 
CCRA actively monitored legislation introduced before city council, and testified on several locations, for example in favor of the revenue neutral tax legislation for both the city and school district, and the changes to the Fresh Grocer legislation.
3 Fantastic Spring Events


2nd Councilmanic District Debate with Kenyatta Johnson & Lauren Vidas - April 3 - a standing room only crowd attended this event with questions for our candidates. 
A great time was had by all at our Casino Night honoring the Honorable Governor Edward G. Rendell on May 9 at the Ethical Society.


At our Annual Meeting, members elected 7 new board members and the executive committee led by President Maggie Mund. City Comptroller, Rebecca Rhynhart, addressed the members on what's happening in City Hall.  
CCRA and the Fall Festival on the Schuylkill Banks


CCRA welcomed police representatives from the 9th District to discuss safety and other concerns in the neighborhood.  The Membership Committee was present to discuss what's going on with CCRA and sign up new members. 
Finally, Growing Transparency
CCRA is now posting Board agendas, handouts, committee reports and meeting summaries on the website. We work hard for your money, and want you to know it!
Please Help Keep our Neighborhood Beautiful 
The Neighborhood Beautification Campaign supports many initiatives - tree planting, historic preservation, the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden, oversight of neighborhood development and - last but not least - sidewalk cleaning. 
 
Our neighborhood continues to be among the cleanest in the city, and that is because of YOU! Please help us keep our neighborhood clean with a generous donation this season.  If you already donated, thank you :-)
Thanks for your support of CCRA and happy holidays to you and your family. 

Would you like to be a member of CCRA?  It's easy to join.
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Community Events
Russian Romances: December 19, Acad of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St, 7:30 PM

Take shelter from a winter night and cozy up at AVA for Russian Romances. This year's program includes arias and scenes from Eugene Onegin, Mazepa, Iolanta, Pique Dame and more.  Sung in Russian with English supertitles.  Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Piano.

        Thursday, December 19,7:30 PM
 
Young Professional (ages 45-and-under) tickets are $10, and general admission tickets are $25. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 215-735-1685.
 
For more information about neighborhood events, check out CCRA's Community Events Calendar
Useful Links





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 and personal identification.

NextMove Dance - Get $10 off  Dance Performances with your CCRA Membership.  Members use  promo code SAVE10.
Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges.
Photo Lounge 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)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215.546.7889)
Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their concerts.
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses separate card, see info here)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
East West Acupuncture, 419 S. 19th St (415-758-1057)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Home Helpers Philly, 1835 S. Broad St., Ste 2 (215-334-2600)
Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)
Jason Matthew Salon, 1735 Chestnut St, 2nd Fl (215-665-8030)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
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Wednesday, December 18, 2019

SOSNA Newsletter

A MESSAGE FROM SOUTH OF SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Join us to do some gift shopping, support SOSNA and catch up with neighbors and friends! 

Enjoy 10% discount for you
10% from all sales donated to SOSNA

WHEN: Wednesday, 12/18, 5-8PM
WHERE: M Concept, 1540 South Street


*if you cannot join us, shop from 12/14-12/21 and say "I'm shopping with SOSNA"
and you'll get the same discount and giveback to SOSNA!

 
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JOIN A VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE
SOSNA works in a number of ways to improve our neighborhood. Check out our committees below to learn how we’re making a difference.
DONATE TO SOSNA

SOSNA is only able to do the work that we do with the support of our neighbors, our neighborhood businesses, and our community partners. We depend on the countless hours our residents volunteer with SOSNA, and we rely on generous donations, like yours, from neighbors and businesses to carry out our mission of improving our community.

Donate today!
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