Thursday, March 25, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

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

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
Weekly E-Newsletter - March 25, 2021
News And Updates
Did We Just Win?

It wasn’t all that long ago – three months ago, in fact – that the prospect of entering a cold and dark pandemic winter filled us with existential dread. How on earth are we gonna get through this???

Sadly, tragically, not everyone did. However – ICYMI – Spring arrived in the early a.m. this past Saturday. (We happened to be awake at 5:37 that morning and happily toasted its arrival. Vodka & OJ, if you must know.)

And so: Warm weather is here. Roll that around in your head for a bit.

Warm. Weather. Is. Here.
Green grass, fresh air, flowers in bloom.
Warm, sunny days. Long, cool nights.
For months on end.
And nothing – not even a Coronavirus – can stop it.

Did we just win?

Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting
On Tuesday, March 23, we held our zoning committee meeting. There were 4 properties on the agenda. To view the report, click here. If you'd like to watch the meeting, click below to go to our YouTube Channel.
We want to hear from you!
 
As the weather gets warmer, people are getting vaccinated, outdoor dining is on the rise, and Rittenhouse Square becomes lively again, we want to know from our residents/businesses/passersby whether you like nighttime activities in and around the Square. 
 
 Music? Play readings? Social gatherings? Noise levels? When should it be quiet time?
 
 Feel free to email Operations Manager Travis Oliver with the subject: Rittenhouse Sq. 
CCRA Launches High-Rise Membership Program
CCRA has recently rolled out a brand-new membership opportunity for residents in high-rise buildings in the CCRA catchment area. We hope this initiative will provide our existing 1200+ membership base a broader and more diverse voice in Center City West which will help strengthen our ability to leverage change. This partnership is facilitated by the building’s property management group, board of directors, or building manager. Check out page 5 of the Spring edition of the Center City Quarterly for more information.
COVID-19 Updates
Safe, Clean, and Green
CCRA has partnered with the Schuylkill River Development Corporation to keep the Banks Trail and greenery well maintained. Consistent with COVID restrictions, only small groups will be working outdoors and with masks at a time (20 or less). The first of many “workdays” for us is listed below for Philly Spring Cleanup Day. If that’s full, we’ll be announcing other opportunities to get your hands dirty throughout the seasons. 

Saturday, April 10, from 9am to 1pm
14th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup on Schuylkill Banks

Join us on the Center City segment of Schuylkill Banks for a morning of trail beautification projects, including leaf collection, mulching, light pruning, and trash pickup. Meet up location is on the trail under the Walnut Street Bridge. Gloves, tools, and water will be provided.
Community Info and Events
Judge the Judges: Judicial Candidates Forum
Join the Judge Accountability Table (JAT) for the two-day virtual Judge the Judges: Judicial Candidates Forum on March 30th and 31st from 6PM to 8PM. This year, there are 8 vacancies in the Court of Common Pleas and 3 in the Municipal Court up for election. As people with a stake in electing candidates that believe in real justice, safety, and dignity, we deserve to have a say in who sits on the bench.
Reversing Trend: List of Bars/Restaurants That are Opening, not Closing
You are no doubt as tired of reading about bar and restaurant closings as we are in reporting them. Well, thanks to vaccines and warmer weather, more than a few eating and drinking establishments are beginning to re-open.

Far too many to list right here, thankfully. You can read all about it here.
Reopen 1
Marathon, Not a Sprint: Marathon Grill Reopens
Like most Center City eateries, in 2020 Marathon Grill was hit by a one-two punch: first the pandemic, then the riots. Closed for ten months, the diner at 16th & Sansom has now re-opened in what will hopefully be a harbinger of a Center City comeback. Learn More: Marathon Grill
Worth a Road Trip: Down North Pizza
What’s better than delicious pizza? Delicious pizza that gives back to the community. That’s what Down North Pizza is all about. It weds tasty comfort food with the goal of reducing recidivism in Black communities. Located on Lehigh Ave. in Strawberry Mansion, it offers Detroit-style square pies, wings, salads, fries, shakes... We could go on, but it would make us way too hungry.
Ready.Set.Philly!

Officials, Chamber of Commerce announces plans to revitalize city businesses impacted by the pandemic.
News from Friends of Fitler Square Park
Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, FFSP has made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Fair. 
Phila Open Studio Tours
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), sponsored by the Center for Emerging Visual Artists, invites you to attend free virtual tours on four Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., including 200 artists at 30 studio spaces. Each of the 4 evenings features artists in different parts of Philadelphia. Center City West is included in the West section on Wednesday, April 14. (Other areas: Northwest on April 7, Northeast on April 21, and South including Center City East on April 28.) Tours are free; registration is required. For information about dates and locations, visit here. To register for free tickets, click below.
CCRA Merchant Partner Discount/Promotion Program

Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount or promotion to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St, (267-519-2001)
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 virtual concerts.
Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St, (215-496-9244)
Branzino Italian BYOB, 261 S. 17th St (215-790-0103)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses a separate card, see info here)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
East-West Acupuncture, center city office closed, but you can use the 10% discount at her Narberth office (415-758-1057)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587
Mlkmn, - Use code CCRAMlkmn to receive free membership
Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
Photo Lounge, 1909 Chestnut St (267-322-6651)
Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663) (REOPENING SOON)
The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719

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