This Week January 23, 2025 | |
The Election, the Holidays and the Inauguration? All now in the rear-view. Directly in front of us presently is the fact that our dearly beloved Eagles are now one victory away from yes, the Super Bowl.
And so now the current Great Debate. QB1 Jalen Hurts: Part of the solution, or part of the problem?
For the former: Hey, as long as the Eagles keep winning, what’s the big deal, right? For the latter: Good luck winning a Super Bowl with a passing attack like that.
Who’s right, who’s wrong? Who knows? That’s why they play the game. Sunday at 3. See you there, with bells on.
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ICYMI: CCRA’s Inquirer Op-Ed | |
The Tuesday edition of The Inquirer included an Op-Ed from CCRA President Leo Levinson presenting our positions on the Spruce and Pine Street bike lanes. It can be viewed here. | |
CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 28, 7pm | VIA Zoom
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The agenda is located on our website. Please note that it may change before the meeting.
Zoom link can be found here.
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Keep Your Property Snow and Ice-free | |
Hope you’re all staying warm this winter. We want to send a quick reminder about the importance of keeping our sidewalks and pathways clear of snow and ice. It helps prevent slips and falls, ensuring everyone can navigate safely. If you haven’t had a chance to clear your area yet, it would be greatly appreciated if you could take a moment to do so. Let’s keep our community safe! Thank you so much, and stay cozy. | |
CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | |
CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we feature Rittenhouse pet wellness center Liberty Vet Pets.
Sick Puppy, Flitty Kitty? Go to Liberty Vet Pets
Because pets are family, it is critical to get it right when choosing a veterinarian. Well, dither no more. The right choice in Center City is Liberty Vet Pets on 20th Street, just off the Square.
Liberty is both a veterinarian’s office and an animal hospital (and they have a lab). Both its kind and caring Veterinarian and Associate Veterinarian are UPenn grads.
At Liberty they do it all and more: Preventive care, dental, vaccinations, general surgery and nutrition. And get this: They make house calls. For real.
What else? CCRA members enjoy 10% off services and boutique items (excluding food; CCRA membership card must be presented).
So the next time a four-legged family member needs a little TLC (or more), go straight to the good folks at Liberty Vet Pets.
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Correction to Last Week’s Merchant Partner Feature | |
Last week’s issue of Events & Happenings contained an unfortunate error as regards the promo code for the Philadelphia Orchestra. The current promo code to receive the CCRA discount, which also works for the Kimmel Cultural Campus, is simply CCRA.
We apologize for any problems or inconvenience this may have caused.
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PA Gets $13.7M for Schuylkill River Trail | |
Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the first round of Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) funding.
Of the $44.5M that was awarded, the City of Philadelphia will receive nearly $13.7 million to close a critical gap in the Schuylkill River Trail by constructing the Wissahickon Gateway Trail and the Passyunk Connection. Once completed, these two projects will include an additional 1.29 miles to the Schuylkill River Trail, completing a 39-mile off-road, riverside, multi-use trail between Pottstown in Montgomery County and Southwest Philadelphia.
Ride over to the details here.
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Sustainability in Fashion? It’s a Thing | |
Fashion isn’t typically the first thing you think of when it comes to sustainability, but it turns out that every item in your closet has gone through many steps in a complex production process, some of which have environmental consequences.
Join WHYY on January 30 for a Town Square discussion on clothing and where it comes from. WHYY's Maiken Scott will chat about sustainable fashion with Heidi Barr, co-founder and CEO of PA Flax Project; Rachel Higgins, co-founder of PA Fibershed and instructor at Drexel University; and Kimberly McGlonn, designer, CEO of NOOR by Grant Blvd and author.
They will talk about their work in the fashion industry and address the challenges we face together in building a local, more sustainable supply chain. Details here.
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Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | |
Making Hand Dumplings for the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day | |
Bring your family and friends to a fun DIY Dumpling + Tangyuan/or Wonton Soup cooking experience. Tangyuan (汤圆), also known as yuanxiao, is a ping-pong-sized traditional Chinese dessert, taking its name from a Chinese homophone for union (tuányuán). This glutinous rice ball is only offered around Chinese New Year and symbolizes togetherness and completeness, as well as being super tasty! Everyone will learn a new cooking skill – making dumplings + Tangyuan (汤圆)!* Come learn to make your own dumplings at the Dumpling Academy - Home of the Dumpling Queen. Wheelchair accessible and easy parking!
Location: Near Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 3 mins after Rt 76 Montgomery Drive Exit. The exact address will be disclosed prior to the event.,
Get your tickets here.
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Where to Celebrate the Chinese New Year | |
There are a variety of special occasions celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake, leading up to the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia on Jan. 29.
The event is also called (by some) the Chinese New Year, although to others, the two hold different meanings. The Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is based on complete cycles of the Moon’s phases.
Click here to see your options in experiencing the festivities.
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Community News and Events | |
Make the Fantastic Real at Moore’s New Exhibit | |
Got the mid-winter blahs? Blast them away at the Jan. 24 opening of the Moore College of Art & Design’s new exhibition that celebrates the fantastic through paintings, drawings, maps, weapons, and other works that sweep us away to imaginary realms.
Entitled Fantasy’s Spell: The Art of Enchantment, the exhibit presents works across a wide span of physical, digital, and motion-based media, and celebrates fantasy’s popularity and growing importance as a genre in contemporary art. Dream the details here.
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August Wilson’s King Hedley II WHYY Pay What You Wish Night at The Arden Theatre Co. | |
WHYY invites you to a special evening at Arden Theatre Company. Join them for a free reception and the final dress rehearsal of August Wilson's King Hedley II on Wednesday, February 26. Set in 1980’s Pittsburgh, this powerful play follows King as he returns from prison, determined to rebuild his life.
This show is directed by Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames (Fat Ham). Tickets are free or "pay what you wish" with donations supporting WHYY. Seating is general admission; first come, first served. Reserve your spot here.
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Leap Into the Future of Dance with Koros | |
We’re fast-forwarding through and into the future, and Penn Live Arts is not about to be left behind, as evidenced by its “Agora de la Danse” scheduled for Jan. 24 through 26.
Think Virtual Reality here: Via the VR headset, you’ll imagine yourself in the middle of the stage, completely immersed within the performance of three works specially adapted for this innovative experience: The Complex Simplicity of Love by Margie Gillis, Allegro Barbaro by Hélène Blackburn and 6.58 manifesto by Andrea Peña.
It’s a Philadelphia premiere, and you can plie over to the details here.
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We have an ambiguous relationship with Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it, it still comes back every year.
So here’s some novel ideas on what you can do…. many of them…no date required to enjoy.
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TONIGHT Experts to Voice Free Speech Concerns | |
What does the recent presidential election bode for free speech? A panel of experts will discuss emerging threats and challenges, and examine the future of this basic freedom tonight at the National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street. Entitled “Voices and Votes: The State of Free Speech After the Election,” the program, which includes a Q&A segment, runs from 5:30-7:30 pm. General admission is $25.
Discounted tickets are available to members of the Museum or World Affairs Council and students and teachers with a valid ID. To register, click here or call (215) 925-2800
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Calling all Upscale Dumpster Divers | |
Interested in quality handmade goods at a 50% discount from their “shelf price"?
This year’s fundraising event for Art Star is a funny take on their Art Star CRAFT Bazaar, though it will be nothing like that event. Over 20 of our regular crafters will be selling off their "Seconds" at huge discounts. There will be no fancy booth displays and no frills! Just a bunch of big tables piled with stuff to rummage through.
It’s the The Art Star CRAP Bazaar, January 25th-26th from 11-4pm. Free to attend and open to the public at The Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street.
Learn all about this treasure hunt here.
| Sacred Music in Sacred Spaces to Warm the Soul |
Nothing like sacred music beautifully sung to escape winter’s chill, and never more so than at the Academy of Vocal Arts’ 25th annual Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music.
This beloved musical tradition will be a highlight of AVA’s 90th Anniversary Season, bringing together the profound beauty of sacred music and the exceptional talent of AVA’s Resident Artists. Experience the oratorio skills of the Resident Artists as they perform a carefully curated selection of sacred music, showcasing their remarkable abilities in both solo and ensemble pieces.
Two evening performances, two opportunities: Jan. 25 in Bryn Mawr, and Jan. 26 here in Center City, at The Church of the Holy Trinity. Don’t: Miss; do: Get tickets, here.
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Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program | |
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. | |
CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner. | | | | |