Friday, April 30, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

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

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
CCRA This Week: April 29, 2021
News And Updates
#FreeTheFace

This week brought guidance from the CDC that the fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks outdoors when either alone or in small gatherings.

And how liberating it was to stroll through Center City legally unmasked. How wonderful to show one’s face and have it feel fresh air and warm sunshine. And what a relief to realize that we won’t soon be knowing the summer pleasures of wearing a mask amidst 90-degree heat and 90% humidity.

But, oh the downsides….
People who wear makeup no longer have an excuse not to. We now all have to remember to smile again. And no more muttering to ourselves and getting away with it.

Yes, we know: Life = Trade-offs.  All too often the most painful of truths. But Hey: On balance?  We’ll take it.
Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
CCRA Zoning Committee Meeting

CCRA held its monthly zoning committee on Tuesday, April 27. The meeting is available to watch on our YouTube Channel.

CCRA Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 27, 6:00 pm
via Zoom

Guest Speaker:
Josh Shapiro, PA Attorney General
Philly DA Race: Many Issues, and Complicated
We’ve got an election for Philadelphia District Attorney coming up on May 18, and it’s a big one, with a lot to examine and sort through. A good way to begin to unpack it all is to examine the record of the incumbent.
Let that process begin here.

Welcome to our NEW Business Patron Member! 

CCRA welcomes Woodcock Design to our CCRA Family! Woodcock Design, Inc is an award winning architectural and urban planning firm that designs commercial and residential spaces in existing and new construction. They embrace preserving buildings, love solving problems, and enjoy working for homeowners, non-profits, institutions, and businesses at a range of scales.
Welcome to our NEW Business Champion Member!

CCRA welcomes the The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (RCOP) to our CCRA Family! RCOP uniquely offers world-class racquet sports and a full complement of social activities in an historic and inviting setting. Their premier private athletic facility is located in the heart of Philadelphia for individuals and families. The Club is over 130 years old and offers six singles and one doubles squash courts, court tennis, racquets, a gym, indoor heated pool, sauna and steam rooms, thirteen overnight rooms, dining, co-working space & more. 
Wanted: New Zoning Committee Members
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. You must be a CCRA Member.

If interested, please send your bio/resume to Operations Manager Travis Oliver - with the subject line "Zoning Committee."
COVID-19 Updates
Safe, Clean, and Green
Tree huggers, get your free street tree!
Applications are due soon for the Fall 2021 planting.

- Friends of Schuylkill River Park PHS Tree Tenders 
Community Info and Events
Volunteers are needed at MANNA
Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather this week. And while you're at it, join them for an afternoon kitchen shift!

As always, please sign up for your shifts at
Be a driver for Trinity’s Food Bag Program! 

Trinity Memorial Church, 22nd and Spruce, needs volunteers with large vehicles to pick up groceries from a provider in Northeast Philadelphia, drive them back into town, and unload and sort the groceries for distribution to neighborhood residents with food insecurity many of whom do not have cars. At present, Trinity distributes bags of groceries on the second Tuesday and Thursday of each month. If enough drivers would volunteer, Trinity could distribute food every week. Sign up to be on the list to drive by emailing Susan Weinman: susanweinman@yahoo.com 
Walk on Water? Yes, You, in 2022
Don’t look now, but in Fall of 2022 there is scheduled to be a sizeable lime-green pathway extending out from nearby Bartram’s Garden into the southern edge of the Schuylkill. It’s called FloatLab, and it’s a walkable art installation via Mural Arts.
Roller Rink Comes to Dilworth Park, Retro-Style
Because ice-skating in cold weather is not enough, a retro-themed outdoor roller rink
Is set to open at Dilworth Park April 30. Set to run through June 27, the rink will showcase a colorful overhead hula-hoop installation along with a checkerboard floor design.
Take Me to The River: Picnic Boat on the Delaware
Tired of landlubbing? Have a small celebration looking for a unique venue?
How about a 27-foor restored picnic boat tooling in and around the Delaware?
It’s totally doable as of July thanks to Sea Philly.
Unhappy Hour: City SIPS Cancelled for Summer Season

It is with a heavy heart and an empty glass that we note that the popular City SIPS happy hour has been cancelled for this summer, reason being the continuing uncertainty as to when restaurants and bars will be permitted to completely open.
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.

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)
The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)
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)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719