This Week: November 10, 2022

Editor – Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer – Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer – Travis Oliver

Writer – Margie Wiener

The Mournings After

For all the thrills and chills provided all season long by our baseball and soccer teams, in the end sadly both came up a bit short. :( Please feel free to mourn appropriately.

Likewise, depending on your political persuasions you may or may not be in mourning following Tuesday’s midterm elections. Again, mourn appropriately.

But in any event that’s all behind us now, and freed up are both the time and the mental bandwidth for other pursuits, such as all the upcoming Holiday festivities and, not least, our still-undefeated football team.

So be of good cheer and rejoice in the absence of unseemly campaign ads. (No mourning them.)

Season’s Greetings, Y’all!

CCRA News and Events

Greetings to 2101 Co-op!

December 1st is near, and with it comes your annual High-rise membership renewal. Only this year we’ve made it waaay easy. How easy?

Both Renewals and New members from 2101 Co-op, can just go to the CCRA website, hover over the “Membership Tab”, then click on “Join New Membership – Resident App”. Scroll down to “Hi-Rise Member” and select. Click “Next” and proceed from there to the Application process. That’s it! Do it today before you forget!

Looking forward to our continued partnership and collective voice for better Center City living. Contact Travis Oliver here if you have any questions.

Trinity Center Joins Building Friendships

in Fitler (BFF) Coalition

Building Friendships in Fitler (BFF), the newly formed collaborative of Fitler Square civic groups, is delighted to welcome Trinity Center to its ranks. CCRA initiated this invitation, as Trinity Center will add an important and expansive indoor space for the entire Center City West community to use all year long. While many of us are familiar with the exquisite Trinity Memorial Church at 22nd and Spruce (a neighborhood landmark since the 1870s), the buildings at this corner are much more than a church.

Trinity Center for Urban Life, a 501(c)(3), is home to a winter emergency shelter, a food pantry for neighborhood households experiencing food insecurity, two voting districts that conduct national, state, and local elections, a preschool serving neighborhood families for more than 50 years, 12-step groups, and much more. Details here.

The ‘New’ Washington Avenue: What’s the Deal?

No doubt you’re familiar with the big makeover of major artery Washington Ave., all the way from 2nd Street to Grays Ferry Avenue. While the re-do was primarily for vehicular traffic, what about for bicycles? How’s that going to pan out?

CCRA Board Member and intrepid bicyclist Ben Zuckerman hopped aboard his ride and gave the upgrade a spin. His report is here.

CCRA Public Meeting re: 2301 Walnut St

Monday, December 5 at 7 pm

via Zoom

The TrammellCrow Company plans to construct a new mixed use residential high-rise with retail at the corner of 23rd and Walnut (the former site of RiteAid) and continues to 23rd and Sansom. The project is “by right” under the Philadelphia zoning code, which means the property owner does not need a variance from the City. However, the public will have input on the project as part of the Philadelphia City Planning Civic Design Review process.

Prior to that public meeting, TrammellCrow Company would like to present the project to the CCRA membership, neighbors and the Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School community via Zoom . You do not have to be a CCRA member to attend: the intent is to inform and gather input from the neighborhood - so please, share this info and spread the word. The architects for the project, BLT Architects, will present the plans, renderings, space program, and project details in a brief presentation. After the presentation there will be a Q&A session.

Support our Local Elementary School

CCRA has always believed that a quality elementary school is essential to the desirability of Center City West as a place to live and raise a family. Back in 1954, CCRA successfully pressured the Board of Education to create a school for urban children. Today’s Greenfield Elementary School is the end result of that. Read the history here . In Pennsylvania's underfunded education system, the Home and School Associations (HSAs) provide enrichment programs, teacher grants for special projects and purchases, books, materials and assistance for school libraries, and so much more.

And…our property values depend on being able to send neighborhood kids to a neighborhood school.

Now, a group of HSA former and current board members have stepped up to match all donations made in November up to a total of $14,000. If you make a donation this month, your impact is doubled! Greenfield Home & School Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible. They accept donations through PayPal and Venmo.

Until a long term solution to adequately fund our schools comes from Harrisburg, this is a great way to help the kids.

CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we feature fave Rittenhouse eatery Seafood Unlimited.

People in the Know go to Seafood Unlimited

With all the great dining options in Center City it can be difficult to know which to choose. But if you’re looking for great seafood, it’s a no-brainer: Seafood Unlimited on S. 20th St.

For over 45 years Seafood Unlimited has served both locals and out-of-towners in their sleek, casual setting. Their fresh, delivered-daily fare is from everywhere: we’re talking sea scallops, jumbo shrimp, ahi tuna, branzino, crab cakes, lobsters and arctic char. And do NOT forget to leave room for the home-made desserts: key lime pie, chocolate mousse and carrot cake.

Co-owner Judi Einhorn puts their philosophy this way: “Understand the neighborhood and you’ll understand the product you need to provide”. Well, they can check that box. And speaking of the neighborhood, CCRA members receive a complimentary tasting of their stellar homemade New England Chowder.

So the next time you get a hankering for something from under the sea, sail on over to Seafood Unlimited.

Clean, Safe and Green

Growing from the Root Wants Your Feedback

Now’s your chance – until Nov. 28 – to weigh in on Philadelphia’s first Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan. After years of learning, listening, and crafting, the Growing from the Root team released a draft of a comprehensive plan that uplifts Philadelphia’s rich history of urban farming and gardening into actionable projects.

This plan builds on the history of agricultural practices rooted in African American, immigrant, and refugee communities that have been nurtured citywide by residents for generations. In the words of the city’s many growers, “urban agriculture heals communities and gives them a path to self-reliance and determination.”

Click here to download the draft plan and complete the survey here to weigh in on it.

Heart Your Park? Show It This Saturday

This Saturday is the annual Love Your Park Fall Service Day, the day when park friends across the city give their fave parks a ton of TLC in the form of planting trees and flower bulbs, collecting leaves for compost, and preparing for the winter season. What’s better?

For a list of parks, venture here. For the FAQ, here.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

15 Simple Ways You Can Help Hungry

Philadelphians NOW

Did you know that pre-pandemic, roughly 1 in 5 Philadelphians— that’s 330,000 of us — lacked regular, reliable access to daily meals? Especially children. And it’s only gotten worse! “What can I do?” you ask. Actually, simple things like donating peanut butter and sorting cans. Sometimes it’s the slightest gestures that make the biggest difference. Here are 15 simple ways you can help NOW!

Bubbe and Zayde Lived Where?

For good reasons, Philly is known as the “City of Neighborhoods”, many of which were created by immigrants. Most change over time, but we often “hear-tell” from our elders what life was like back in the day.

On this tour by Hidden City, walk through the Jewish Quarter (2nd to 6th, Spruce to Christian), learn what the Eastern European Jews experienced when they moved from “the old country”. See where they established the bathhouses, shuls, newspapers, theaters and stores, including the still lively Fabric Row. On Sunday (11/13), you can smear the schmaltz here.

Join CCRA Now

Community News and Events

Born to Run? Or Volunteer? Or Just Watch? Philly Marathon Coming Soon

Whether you’re a brave runner, a noble volunteer or a mere spectator, the Philadelphia Marathon is sprinting down the homestretch toward town. One of the most historic races in the nation, it is scheduled for November 18-20, 2022 and some 30,000 racers are expected. Feel the burn here.

“Eds and Meds” Trail Other Sectors

in Pandemic Recovery

Covid showed no mercy in the damage caused to the economy, but now that we are apparently in a post-Covid world, how have the various sectors of the local economy fared?

Rather surprisingly, a recent report from the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia found that the education and health sectors haven’t recovered well, and the reasons why remain unclear. Details on the report here.

Friday Night at the Lights

Does anyone else feel the winter blues that comes with the end of daylight savings time? Yeah; Bummer, eh?

Solution: The Magic Garden at Night! Sure, you’ve probably been there during the day, but now you can get dazzled by the beauty of the glittering mosaicked labyrinth under the glow of colorful lights. Friday nights only, through the end of the year. Explore both the outdoor sculpture garden and the indoor galleries. Illuminate the start of your weekend here.

Sublime Beethoven at the Kimmel

Tomorrow, Friday Nov. 11 at 8 pm, immerse yourself in Beethoven at the Kimmel. Belatedly celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth (1770), Vox Amadeus Chorus and Orchestra performs the iconic 5th Symphony and Missa Solemnis, which he considered his greatest work. Details here.

Useful links

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.

Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)

PhotoLounge, 130 S.17th St (267-322-6651)

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)

The Philadelphia Orchestra, One S. Broad St (215-893-1955)

The River Boat Tours, Schuylkill River & Walnut St (215-309-5523)

The Rounds, internet only

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