Sunday, May 31, 2020

CCRA Newsletter


Statement by CCRA President Maggie Mund
We recognize the pain caused by the police brutality in Minneapolis...and throughout the country over the recent past.  We support peaceful protest everywhere to end this violence against black and minority communities which runs counter to American values. 

But we cannot condone random and senseless civil disorder as a response.  Rioting and looting which turns our neighborhood into a battleground will not solve this problem and only serves to set citizen against citizen. 

We call on the protest leaders to do everything in their power to channel their anger and hurt into peaceful protest in the best American traditions.  We want to work together with communities throughout the city to achieve meaningful reform.  That cannot happen when our neighbors fear for their safety and our neighborhood is looted and defaced.

Please join CCRA as we call on Mayor Kenney and Police Chief Outlaw to assure the city that while peaceful protest will be encouraged, we need a plan that will prevent the violence and looting that rocked Center City last night. To date, we have learned that the National Guard will be called in and that Center City will be closed to vehicular traffic from Vine to South streets, and from the Schuylkill to Delaware rivers. Please contact city officials at James.Kenney@phila.gov, Brian.Ambernathy@phila.gov, and Darrell.Clarke@phila.gov.  

More city council representative contacts may be found on the  
attached sheet.

We would like to thank our neighbors who have been out cleaning up the broken glass and other consequences of last night's lawlessness, restoring the neighborhood to a semblance of order. 

Please note that there is a curfew effective tonight at 6 PM to 6AM .  Stay safe
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Thursday, May 28, 2020

CCRA Newsletter


Center City Residents' Association, 1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Weekly E-Newsletter
News and Updates

In Case You Missed It: Farnese v. Saval State Senate Debate


The May 22 debate is now streaming on our YouTube channel.  You can view it here.
Also, please subscribe to our channel to get any videos updates.
Would you like to join the CCRA Zoning Committee?

The Zoning Committee is now seeking applications to join this active group. Meetings are once a month, and active participation is required. Community engagement is a must, knowledge of the zoning code can be learned on the job.  Email Operations Manager, Travis Oliver, with the subject zoning committee. 
Covid-19 Updates

-  Last chance to apply: If you are struggling financially because of the pandemic you may be eligible for an emergency cash grant from the PA Dept. of Human Services.  Application are being accepting now through June 2.  Residents can apply online or call BenePhilly at 1-833-373-5868.

-  Philly to enter the "yellow phase" of reopening on June 5 - most businesses will be allowed to reopen, however "teleworking" is still in place until further notice. In addition, masks must be worn at all times while visiting a business and the social distancing rule still applies. 

-  State Relaxes Philly's Restaurant Rules, but Kenney Pumps the BreaksNow you will be able to walk up to a restaurant or food truck and order though you still can't eat inside.  And, yes, you will have to wear a mask.  Also, dining outside will be allowed once the city enters the "yellow phase." Even though the state will relax restrictions on June 5, Mayor Kenney just announced that restaurants should hold off on allowing outdoor dining until further evaluation. 

-  Summer Camp Changes:  Parks and Recreation has modified the summer camp season.  Click here to read the letter or visit their site for more information. 

- Parking lots: Lots will begin charging for use on June 1.

-  PEUC Program:  If your regular unemployment benefits have expired or will expire soon, you can now file a claim for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program.
Visit our special Covid-19 page on our website for more news and info.
Have you seen these signs in Rittenhouse Square?  

CCRA is reinforcing the message that social distancing is still important with these eye-catching graphics posted at 3 of the entries to the park.  We also printed 8 1/2 x 11 signs which Friends of Rittenhouse will post on our behalf.  So please remember, stay safe as you continue to patronize our local restaurants and stay healthy through outdoor exercise.
Making Changes to our Restaurant List

Here's an updated list of  area restaurants and businesses. As restaurants and other dining establishing begin to open, expect some changes to their places.  If you know of any changes, please let Travis Oliver know so he can update the list - i.e. cocktails to-go, outdoor dining, new hours, etc.   Thank you always all for the continued suggestions and updates. Keep 'em coming! 
 June 2nd PA Primary



Polling locations will be open on June 2nd, but due to COVID-19, many polling locations have been moved and consolidated.  Check your polling place here, expect lines, and vote safely.

Drop-Off Locations for Mail-in Ballots in Southeast Pennsylvania
 
For locations to return your voted mail-in ballot in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia County, click here . Individual voters must return their own ballots.
 
To guarantee your vote will be received before
the deadline at 8 pm on June 2nd, it is strongly recommended using a drop-off location. The typical 1-2 day USPS delivery time for mail within the region is not guaranteed. Ballots postmarked before the deadline but received after 8 pm on Election Day will not be counted.
 
  • Track the  status of your ballot.
  • If you've applied for an absentee or mail-in ballot but haven't received it, you can vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.
 
We are a little over half way to our goal!

Keeping our Neighborhood Clean and Safe During the Pandemic

Please, help keep our neighborhood clean, beautiful, open and safe with a donation to CCRA's Keeping our Neighborhood Clean, Safe and Green Campaign.
Thank you for everything you do to make our neighborhood better!


Would you like to be a member of CCRA?  It's easy to join.
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For more information about neighborhood events, check out CCRA's Community Events Calendar
Community Info
Penn's Village Reads:
"The Clicking of Cuthbert" by P.G. Wodehouse
Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. 

 
Brian Wengenroth will read "The Clicking of Cuthbert," from P.G. Wodehouse's collection of ten short stories by the same name, all with a golfing theme. This, the first story in the collection, introduces the Oldest Member, an elderly sage who appears in most of Wodehouse's many golf stories and narrates from the clubhouse off the 18th green of an unnamed golf club somewhere in England.  Wodehouse was one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century, using a mixture of Edwardian slang, quotations from and allusions to numerous poets, and several literary techniques to produce a prose style that has been compared to comic poetry and musical comedy.


LOCATION
 
This will be an online event hosted via Zoom Conferencing. You do not need a Zoom account but you will need to download and install the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device to join the event. Please email in advance if you need assistance installing the Zoom app. If you cannot join the event using your computer or mobile device and the Zoom app, you can join the event via teleconference and hear the audio portion. You will receive an email a day or so before the event with a link to the meeting, the Meeting ID, call-in telephone numbers and instructions for joining the meeting.
RSVP
 
Please register by emailing Info@pennsvillage.org or calling 215-925-7333.  
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, 2020 Virtual Edition, will take place online on June 5, 6, and 7.  Learn more about the show on Website , Facebook, and Instagram 
Philadelphia School District to Hold Virtual Graduation for High School Students

The Philadelphia School District says it will celebrate 2020 high school graduates with a virtual ceremony on June 9th.
School Superintendent Dr. William Hite made the announcement during a Thursday morning conference. The ceremony will be broadcasted at 11am on television, Facebook and the school district's website.

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.
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)
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)
Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor 
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)
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