Thursday, May 6, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

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

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
CCRA This Week: May 6, 2021
News And Updates
Slouching Toward Normal

Vaccine? Check. Air Travel? Check. Back to the Gym? Check. So what’s next on boomeranging back to normal? How about a ballgame?

And so it was that we traveled – via the Broad Street subway line – to Citizens Bank Park last Saturday. 25% capacity at most, so the place felt empty. Masks required (and enforced). No vendors offering hot dogs and beer. :-( 

But still: blessedly it was Major League Baseball, and all that it implies. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, yada yada yada. Pretty damn glorious.

Epilogue: The home team lost to the hated rivals from Gotham on a controversial late-inning call by the umpires, and the locals’ star player was ejected for vociferously contesting the call. Now, if that’s not normal, we dunno what.

Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
CCRA Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 27, 6pm
Did you know our AG, Josh Shapiro, found a key role to play in the fight against gun violence? Hear about his “sneak attack” and Philly’s role in its success. Join us virtually and get to ask him questions at our Annual Meeting.

Members - please join the meeting at 6pm to vote for the board of directors, bylaws changes, and changes to our Articles of Incorporation. We need you there to reach a quorum.

Your friends and family are welcome to join us. Non-members are encouraged to "check in" at 6:30 pm.
CCRA Monthly Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 6pm
via Zoom

CCRA Members are welcome to attend. Please contact Operations Manager Travis Oliver and he will send you the link to the meeting once it's available.
Update on the ATV and Dirt Bike Issue

Last night, CCRA and dozens of civic associations attended a Town Hall meeting regarding the ongoing nuisance of ATVs and dirt bikes roaming throughout the city. Hosted by the Queen Village Neighbors Association, neighbors met with local city reps, and councilmembers. Along with the Deputy Police Commissioner we're working on some solutions. Read below to find out more.
Welcome Back to Our Business Champion Member!

CCRA welcome back Boyd’s Philadelphia to our CCRA Family! Boyd’s has been proudly serving Center City since 1938 and quickly earned the reputation to be “the “ place to shop for clothing. Their family tradition of quality, knowledge and exceptional customer service is evident the moment you walk in the store. Boyd’s is conveniently located on 1818 Chestnut Street and offers a variety of complimentary services. 
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
Love Your Park Day at J5M

Please join the Friends of June 5th Memorial (J5M) park this Saturday, May 8, from (10:00 am-1 pm) for the City-wide Love Your Park Day. Join them as they care, clean, and learn about the memorial’s design and mission to advocate for demolition and construction safety.

Come by the memorial on Saturday (even if you cannot participate in the Love Your Park Day) to learn how to get involved in future Friends programming and activities at the June 5th Memorial park.
Community Info and Events
So This Election Coming Up May 18……
Yeah, you may have heard of it. Krasner v. Vega, public questions, Judges…. What?

No worries; we got you covered.
  • Comprehensive Election Overview here.
  • List of Polling Locations here.
  • Paper Ballot Drop Box Map here.
L’Chaim! May is Jewish American Heritage Month
For every year since 2006, May has been Jewish American Heritage Month and, pandemic or not, 2021 is no different. Among the (online) events: “Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story”; The Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations; and an all-night Shavuot Festival.
Timely: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
With the month of May comes Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and with it a surfeit of events like art exhibits, food events, discussions… there’s even a scavenger hunt.
Paul Levy on Center City's Next Economic Comeback
Philadelphia 3.0 interviewed Center City District's CEO Paul Levy to discuss his optimism of a strong rebound with Center City businesses.
Last week, PWD and the Public Advocate reached a potential settlement.

While this change will not eliminate the need for a rate increase, it will help reduce the scale of the needed increase at this time, if approved by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board (Rate Board).

This means the anticipated rate increases for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 will be lower than originally proposed. Updates on bill impacts will be provided when available.
The PWD Rates site has updated information, including a summary of the proposed settlement and a detailed Settlement Term Sheet.
Just In Time: Center City Restaurant Week Is Here! Well, Almost
Outdoor dining, indoor dining, take-out & delivery…. Have it your way from May 17 through May 28 as Center City Restaurant Week is just around the corner. If for no other reason, show the local eateries large portions of love after the year they’ve had.
ICYMI: Bike Lane Closure at Wissahickon Valley Park
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation announced the Wissahickon Valley Park’s four bike bridges will close for a major renovation project. Cyclists and pedestrians will not be able to use the trail to connect from Forbidden Drive (aka Park Drive) to Ridge Avenue. The detour route will be posted along the trail for use by commuters and recreational hikers and cyclists.
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.

Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
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)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses a separate card, see info here)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719

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