This Week October 17, 2024 | |
Addressing Bicycle Safety | |
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In light of the tragic death of cyclist Barbara Friedes on Spruce Street last July, the City has developed recommendations for bike lane safety infrastructure and policy upgrades on Spruce and Pine Streets which were presented last Tuesday at CCRA’s monthly Board meeting which was attended by many concerned residents.
Jeannette Brugger from the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure (OTIS) detailed proposals including concrete curb sections, planters at intersections and relocation of relaxed parking areas.
This is a very complex issue, with numerous competing interests: cyclists, pedestrians, delivery vehicles, families, people with disabilities… all facets of daily urban life, and the evening’s Q & A that reflected that, as one neighbor after another rose to articulate their concerns.
While resolution won’t be easy, we do need to give props to the City, to CCRA and to the many residents who took part. It’s a serious issue, and was taken seriously.
In that regard, the City is holding a public open house tonight to gather community input on its proposals. Details: It will run from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Jefferson Bluemie Life Sciences Building at 233 S. 10th Street.
Also: A bill to change No Parking signs located next to bike lane to No Stopping signs was reported out favorably at a Streets Committee hearing on Oct. 15, with a suspension of the rules. A second reading will be held Oct. 17, and a vote on final passage will take place on Oct. 24.
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You’re Invited! Join us for this special event at Vernick on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 pm to help support the valuable work CCRA does in our community. | |
Everything's Better In Green! | |
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The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is accepting applications for free street trees to be planted next spring. Property owners can apply here.
You can also join CCRA Green to plant trees in the neighborhood on Saturday, November 16 from 9:30 to noon. Meet at the entrance to the community garden at 25th and Spruce Streets. Email Susan (susan.v.kahn@gmail.com) to sign up and for more information.
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CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | |
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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 spotlight boutique- travel agency Excursions from the Square.
Excursions from the Square says Says Get Up and GO!
Not just any travel outfit, Excursions from the Square is singularly unique in that it focuses on museums, architecture, history and the performing arts. Offering trips for both groups and individuals, destinations include the New York Botanical Garden, a Hudson Valley art tour and the Berkshires. Summer’s gone; book an excursion now!
(CCRA members receive a 10% discount on a one-day trip and a $25 discount on extended trips.)
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Gun Violence Town Hall TONIGHT | |
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Join State Rep. Ben Waxman for a Gun Legislation and Violence Prevention Panel Discussion and Town Hall Thursday Oct. 17 at 6pm at the Mutter Museum (Mitchell Hall).
RSVP here.
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Spruce and Pine Streets Bike Lane Upgrades TONIGHT | |
October in PA Is Hawk Migration Month | |
Pennsylvania becomes a birdwatcher's paradise during the fall as thousands of hawks embark on their annual migration south. The spectacle of these majestic raptors soaring through the skies is a sight to behold, drawing nature enthusiasts from far and wide. The hawk migration in Pennsylvania showcases nature's awe-inspiring beauty and serves as a powerful reminder of the need to protect and preserve wildlife habitats. If you can, visit Hawk Mountain at Kitty Ridge in the eastern Appalachian Mountains. This spot creates favorable updrafts and acts as a superhighway for migration. Read more about it here.
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Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | |
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And you thought vacation season was over…….but not in Philly, where our exposure to world food brings international tastes, flavors, and cooking techniques to you, every day. So, take a culinary journey, where you need only drive to Essen Bakery in Kensington to delight in the flavors and baking techniques inspired by Viet Nam. Under the tutelage of chef Tova du Plessis, you’ll be enchanted by Chef Clarice Lam’s cookbook, Breaking Bao, a delightfully visual exploration of Asian flavors and global pastry techniques. Ticket price includes a copy of the cookbook and a Bake Box of four of Chef Clarice’s sumptuous creations including a Vietnamese cinnamon raisin babka and chocolate banana bolo bao. Fly here to sign up.
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Philadelphia Film Festival | |
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If you’re into movies, it’s a great time to be alive. The Philadelphia Film Festival just kicked off and runs through Oct. 27, with dozens of unique films running almost continuously at these three venues:
- Film Society Center (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102)
- Film Society Bourse (400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
- Film Society East (125 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
The festival features a huge line-up of remarkable films from a wide range of genres, with documentaries and narratives featuring new, bold, diverse, and rebellious stories.
Tickets are on sale now to the general public and may be purchased online or in-person at the Box Office at the Philadelphia Film Center.
For the full listing of all films, dates, times and locations – and to purchase tickets – visit the official Philadelphia Film Festival website.
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Sauna Is Life – So Go Take A Sauna Already! | |
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The American Swedish Historical Museum is opening a new exhibit called, “Sauna is Life: Sauna Culture in Finland,” and you’re invited to check it out for free.
The act of taking a sauna is an inherent part of Finnish culture. This new exhibit explores the Finnish sauna tradition with an interpretive sauna and objects as well as stories, photos, and videos shared with us from home and abroad. In addition, the exhibition highlights related sweating practices from other cultural groups around the world, including the Japanese and the Lakota in the United States.
The exhibition event is free to the public.
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Community News and Events | |
Calling All Vinyl-Heads! South Street Vinyl Block Party Next Saturday! | |
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If you know, you know….
Nothing – NOTHING – sounds as good as vinyl, which is why you need to attend the Oct. 26 Vinyl Block Party on South Street. Whether you’re into Stevie Wonder, Wayne Shorter or Maria Callas, or if you’re just up for a fun afternoon with fellow music lovers, that jawn is gonna be the place to be.
While admission is free, registration is required, and can be done on Eventbrite. Happy Digging!
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Help Older Adults in Your Community With Taxes | |
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Looking to have fun and feel good knowing you're making a positive impact? Every tax season, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers serve the community by helping neighbors complete and file their tax returns. This year, Tax-Aide volunteers helped secure almost $1.3 billion in refunds for nearly 1.7 million people. Sign up now to become an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer to help people in your community. More information can also be found here.
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Your Mail-In Vote Counts! | |
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Here’s some Committee of 70 guidance for mail-in voters…
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Apply for your ballot: If you want to vote by mail, apply for a mail-in ballot online now now, (October 29 deadline).
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How to fill it out: This video walks voters through every step of completing a mail-in ballot.
- Return it asap: Completed ballots must be back at county election offices by 8 pm on Election Day (postmarks aren’t honored), and the USPS suggests mailing at least a week before that.
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Drop it off… at satellite election offices and drop-box locations in Philadelphia.
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Get On Board as a Regatta Volunteer! | |
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The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is a wonderful event to attend, but did you know that you can get in on the inside as a Volunteer? Yes You Can!
The 54th Regatta is set for the weekend of Oct. 26 and 27, and volunteer opportunities are available before, during and after the event. Typically shifts are 7 am-noon and noon-5 pm, however each volunteer area has varying needs. A description of volunteer functions can be found here.
Bring friends, bring family! Any questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to volunteers@hosr.org.
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Come See Artists in their “Natural Habitat”: The Studio! | |
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Come see the artists behind the art, “in studio” at the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), set for our neighborhood Saturday October 19 (noon-6 pm) and Sunday October 20 (12:30-6 pm), where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of visual artists at work through an approachable, self-guided, easy-to-navigate tour.
Among the featured artists is Violet Alexandre, who is the inspiration behind CCRA Merchant Partner Experience Empathy Through Art, where she creates very person-specific custom artwork which expresses on canvas individuals’ hopes, intentions and needs. Stop by and say Hello to our good friend Violet!
Details here. Map/Directory here. List of Events here.
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Fright @ Night At The Franklin Institute | |
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It’s baaaacck! The Franklin Institute’s Science After Hours: Fright @ Night is back for the 2024 spooky season with plenty of entertainment, science, and cocktails.
Break out your costumes and head down to the Franklin Institute on Friday, October 25th from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm for this year’s Fright @ Night. Guests will get to celebrate Halloween at the museum and indulge in spooky science, performances, and cocktails all night long.
Featured Programming Will Include:
- Entertainment curated by Philadelphia’s ghoul of drag, Onyx Ondyx; and the hottest clown around town, Mackenzie Molotov.
- Live full dome visuals with modified analog gear with Liquid Light Lab in the Fels Planetarium.
- Interactive glitch installation and video art performance with artist Grant Bouvier.
- Activity stations to trick and treat your senses with the Monell Chemical Senses Center.
- Explorations of the body with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- More to be announced.
This Halloween-inspired evening event for adults 21+ may seem glitchy, but we promise a great time. So, prepare for a slew of surprises because you never know what might slip through. Tickets are available 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. | | | | |
