CCRA Newsletter

 

This Week: March 10, 2022

Editor - Barbara Halpern Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver Guest Photographer - Ben Zuckerman

Second Second Thoughts As with the pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine provides a bracing jolt of perspective. What was it I was complaining about again?   Someone ‘stole’ your parking spot?  Poor Baby. Didn’t get that restaurant table you so wanted?  Aww…. Your portfolio took an untoward hit?  Cry me a you-know-what.   And those ‘microaggressions’ so many get so worked up about? Turns out they’re very well named, as the word ‘micro’ means ‘really, really, really small’. What’s a real aggression?  A tank rolling down your street. What’s a good aggression?  Aggressively donating to United Help Ukraine. You can show the love here.

CCRA News and Events

Need Your Membership Card? Now You Can Access it Anytime. Members now can print/save their membership cards on their own. All you do is log in to your account on the CCRA website. There are two types of images available. Select the one you need. If you are a Household, Patron, Angel, or Legend member, separate accounts will be created so those members can have access as well. If you still would like your cards mailed to you or if you are having trouble, please notify Travis Oliver.

Jane Golden of Mural Arts Speaks to Board Mural Arts Founder and Executive Director Jane Golden gave a presentation at the monthly Board meeting on Tuesday where she provided an overview of the mural program and detailed specifics for a mural-to-be at 17th and Pine Sts. She also encouraged the Board to provide suggestions for locations for additional murals. Her presentation can be found here.

Sense in the City - Fear and Street Crime On March 9th, Fear and Street Crime was the fourth installment of CCRA's Sense in the City discussion series under the skillful leadership of the Ethical Society's Hugh Taft Morales.  After Hugh presented an overview of the problem and the police and non-police based "solutions," small groups discussed several aspects of the issue. Questions included:  Should those victimized by street crime, especially those from neighborhoods where gang violence is decimating communities, be involved in generating solutions?  Should we look to criminal justice solutions or solutions outside the criminal justice system? Do you think your fear of street crime is augmented by media sensationalism? Discussion groups reported grappling with several issues: the importance of social services in steering young people away from criminal behavior, rehabilitation versus punishment, state versus local responsibility, the impact of high capacity magazines on public safety, the relevance of age on one's perception of street crime, and the inability of many Philadelphians to imagine the stresses on residents living in less resourced areas of the city.

Results from the CCRA Merchant Partner Survey Are In! Inquiring minds want to know…..which Merchant Partners are the most popular with our members? Which restaurants are most favored? Explore here to find the treasures.

Daylight Saving Time Begins Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend on Sunday, March 13th at 2:00am. Make sure to reset your clocks!

CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides smaller local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight Rittenhouse go-to Nature’s Gallery Florist. Nature’s Gallery’s Got Your Flower Power Right Here Philadelphia is not typically known as the Flower Capital of the Universe, but you’d never know it by Nature’s Gallery Florist at 2124 Walnut. This remarkable florist offers fresh and imported flowers, elegant orchids, succulent plants and much, much more.   Tell them what you want, and they’ll make it happen. Not sure what you want? No worries. Avail yourself of their considerable expertise.   They do weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, graduations and much, much more. One couple decided to elope and needed flowers fast.  Done! Result? A very satisfied couple.   So next time it’s Flower Time, see the good folks at Nature’s Gallery. And don’t forget: CCRA members receive a 5% discount.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Police Outreach to Next Generation Our 9th District Police recently took a group of Philadelphia 8th graders on a Mural Tour followed by lunch at Ruth Chris’ as part of a new initiative to mentor young men of color. The police were accompanied by a few veterans of color who discussed their experiences in the armed forces and their subsequent careers. The lunch topics included, restaurant etiquette, social skills and treating girls with respect. From all reports, it was a very successful first outing and will be followed by more. CCRA joined LSNA and others in funding the effort and will continue to assist the police in expanding the program. Anyone who wants to participate should contact Officer Jesse O’Shea, the 9th District Community Relations Officer, at Jesse.OShea@phila.gov.

Community News and Events

Everyone’s Irish on St. Paddy’s Day

On March 13, come out and watch the largest and historic (since 1771) parade in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. See more than 200 groups march, dance and party. Youth groups and Irish Associations will entertain you and the family. Who was Patrick and why do the Irish celebrate him? Click here for details about him and the parade.

Greenfield HSA: High School Admissions Process

Join us at the next HSA zoom meeting on March 17 at 7PM, for a Q & A on the current High School Admissions Process. Principal Lazar and Jennifer Stern, our school counselor, will be joining us to answer any questions to the best of their ability. Link for the meeting: https://bit.ly/3CjErlN Please click here to write a question you wish to have addressed about the process.

Hogwarts’ Express Takes off from Track 9 ½ at the Reading Terminal Market

Dovetailing on the Harry Potter theme from the Special Exhibit at the Franklin Institute, the vendors at the old train terminal are preparing Butterbeer, Whoopie Pie, and other treats served amidst  Hogwart decorations, including Philbert the Pig with glasses, a pointed hat, and a Gryffindor scarf. To get the train schedule, go here.

RTM mascot Philbert the Pig dressed in his Gryffindor best DANYA HENNINGER / BILLY PENN

Shutter Your Bug Photo Contest

Wissahickon Valley Park is sponsoring a seasonal photo contest, starting March 20. Take your camera for a walk in the park with the dog, hike with the family, or go biking with your iPhone. For contest rules, go here.

We’ll Drink to That: SIPS is Back

After a long – and dry – absence, the Center City District’s SIPS celebration returns beginning June 1. To refresh: Participating SIPS locations within the District will offer $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday after work through August 31.  Imbibe the details here.

Lights… Camera… Restore!

Typically known for showing both foreign and avant-garde films (for 43 years), the Lightbox Film Center on Broad Street has recently pivoted to film restoration. Its recent merger with the University of the Arts having provided access to the necessary resources, the first restoration is Wayne Wang’s 1989 film “Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive”, which will be screened this Friday evening. Details can be screened here.

They’re Ba-a-a-ck! The Tourists, That Is

Slowly but surely tourism is returning to the Cradle of Liberty. While the good news is that hotel occupancy rose from 31% to 41% from last year to this, that 41% figure is only a little more than half of 2019’s figure. At the same time, pandemic or not, a number of new hotels have opened, from swanky to funky and to futuristic. Tour the details here.

Useful links Previous CCRA This Week News Blog 9th District Crime Report 17th District Crime Reports Center City Quarterly CCRA Calendar

Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program

Would you please support our local merchants and save money too? These local merchants will provide a deal or discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification. Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098) Excursions from the Square (215-732-8487, 215-738-4500) Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937) Frameworks Studio and Gallery, 2103 Walnut St, (215-567-6800) Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479) Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587) Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554) Photo Lounge, 130 S.17th St. (267-322-6651) Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311) Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663) (TEMPORARILY CLOSED) The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714) The Rounds, Use code CCRATHEROUNDS to receive free membership. Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889) Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St, (267-519-2001) William Schwartz Jewelry, 1831 Chestnut St (215-665-8115) 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. (215-665-9220)

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