This Week: November 3, 2022

The Philly Sports-Gasm Continues….

In case you missed it – and if you missed it, where the heck you been? –

• The Phillies are two wins away from a most improbable World Series Championship
• The Eagles are 7-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the NFL
• The Philadelphia Union plays for the Major League Soccer Championship this Saturday

And tonight – Yes, TONIGHT – Two Things:

The Phils take on Houston in Game 5 of a 2-all 2022 World Series (Fox 29) ***AND***

The Eagles take their undefeated team to – you guessed it – Houston, to play the 1-5-1 Texans on Thursday Night Football (Prime Video, Channel 17).

Any Questions?

Didn’t think so.

GO PHILLY!

New & Old CCRA Members Mingle at Meet & Greet

How wonderful that CCRA held its ‘Thank You’ Members Reception - the second since the pandemic began - on Tuesday, November 1st at DiBruno’s Alimentari Restaurant. We now have 1,400+ members (more than double that of almost a decade ago)!  

CCRA’s President Rick Gross, who welcomed the group, explained, “We are focused on increasing our membership because with a larger membership we have more power - more power politically and to influence things that matter to all of us in the neighborhood.” He encouraged everyone to get involved and spread the word.  

In a warm, inclusive, congenial atmosphere, all enjoyed the complimentary delicious food and drinks. If you were on the waiting list but couldn’t get in, have no fear. CCRA plans more frequent Meet & Greets in the future, so stay tuned.

All Hands on Deck to Help the Kids

Last week, we reported that CCRA budgeted $5,000 to help our local (20th and Chestnut) charter school, which provides a rigorous college-prep education to many teens from underserved nearby neighborhoods. But CCRA’s partnership with the Freire Charter High School needs more than just throwing money at solutions, although money never hurts! 

It needs YOU: your know-how, your experience, your commitment to the future. CCRA members can help students succeed by volunteering at the school. It’s in the neighborhood and an easy walk for most of us. 

Follow this link to see the list of after school activities for which Freire could use community volunteers, including clubs focusing on robotics, theater, after-school tutoring, and Pride allies. Interested CCRA members should email their interests to Maggie Mund. You will be contacted about how to help.

Bye Bye Halloween

The will of the people has transformed Halloween from a one-night candy grab into a fortnight of parties, celebrations and spooky experiences. Since Monday’s official “Halloween” was a rainout (for more than just the Phillies), it was prescient that the Friends of Fitler Square Park  chose  sunny Saturday for its Halloween Fun Fest.  A few memorable photos below….

Our new neighborhood collaborative, Building Friendships in Fitler (BFF) , which includes CCRA, was “in the house” collecting ideas from folks on what local activities would make this an even better place to live, work and play. Check out the BFF photo below to see some of the ideas being considered. Stay tuned for upcoming events.

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).

Dig This!

On Nov. 19th, help the CCRA Green Tree Tenders plant 20 street trees in the neighborhood. No tools or experience necessary! We will hold two separate planting events: 

• The first runs from 9:30-11:30am, and meets at the community garden entrance at 25th and Spruce. 

• The second runs from 12:30-2:30pm, and meets on Naudain Street behind Independence Charter School - 1600 Naudain Street.  

Sign up to get some authentic exercise here. Hope to see you there!

And the Tree Says: Gimme Some Lovin’

This summer’s drought and extreme heat was brutal not only for us, but also for our neighborhood trees. Thanks to a dedicated team of caregivers, CCRA Green’s newly planted trees are green and thriving!  

If you would like to ‘adopt’ a new planted tree in our neighborhood, email Susan Kahn. We will find one convenient to your home.  

Here’s a photo of this month’s tree hero.

Got Hazmats?  Last, Best Chance to Dispose

Perhaps you’ve got hazardous waste of one sort or another and aren’t sure how and where to get rid of it. Well, the City can help.

This Saturday is the last Collection Event until springtime. It’s in Port Richmond, from 9 am to 3 pm, and the details reside here.

A Flying Mural

This past week, Mural Arts Philadelphia debuted a momentous new mural series titled Flight by artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh. This largest mural of the series, at 13th & Spruce, pictures what it would be like for Black people to rise off the ground into the sky – imagining “flying” as a metaphor for liberation, escape, and transformation.  

"This painting, 100 ft in the air, is so special to me," Tatyana wrote in her Instagram post. "I lived in the building it is painted on when I was 17 years old.” The bottom of the mural reads: "I let go of what has weighed me down. Light as a feather, I ride the wind. Like Black folks have always done. Flying free above the structures built to confine us."

Jewish, Asian American Film Festivals Celebrate Cultures

November brings Film Festivals that celebrate and describe both the Jewish and Asian American cultures and experiences.

For starters, Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media, which creates connection and community through Jewish cinema and digital storytelling, kicks off its 42nd film-fest with a screening of “Karaoke” on Nov. 12.

From November 3–13, 2022, The Pacific Asian American Film Festival will host a hybrid festival, presenting the best in Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic film, storytelling, and performance.

Details on the former here; the latter, there.

Slackers Last Call

O.K., you have the best of intentions, but you haven’t yet voted by USPS or Dropbox. But it’s not too late to do your civic duty - VOTE. Billy Penn has made it easy for those who still have questions or need info. 

All procrastinators, mosey on over to here for everything you need to know.

PMA’s Contemporary Craft Show

Time to cross Broad Street, folks. If not to buy, then to just ogle the work of 195 of the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the United States. The 2022 PMA’s 46th Annual Contemporary Craft Show is this weekend at the Convention Center, with lots of choices in how to experience (a/k/a special events) the eye candy. All work is for sale and the artists receive 100% of their sale proceeds. Ticket sales benefit the Art Museum. Browse the works and buy our tickets here. If you’re an Art Museum member, log in and buy certain tickets through the museum to get your discount. 

What caught our eye is the Art to Wear Fashion Show...elevate both your mind and your closet!

Join Independence Seaport Museum to Honor the Vets this Veteran’s Day

With all the hustle and bustle of daily modern life it’s not difficult to lose sight of the remarkable contributions made by our nation’s veterans.

And that would be a mistake, given all they’ve sacrificed and how we all benefit. (Nope, Freedom ain’t free.) 

So this Veteran’s Day – November 11 -- join Independence Seaport Museum and The Chapel of Four Chaplains for their annual Veterans Day Ceremony aboard Cruiser Olympia as they honor those who have served and continue to serve our country. The guest speaker this year is Captain Jonathan Theel, Captain of the Port of Philadelphia, Commanding Officer, USCG Sector Delaware Bay. Honor it here.

So Where We Gonna See the Game???

You may have noticed that there is a soupcon of interest, a bit of a frisson regarding the recent plights of the local professional sports teams, all of which begs the question: If you can’t get tickets for the game, which sports bar you gonna hit?

This being Philly, you got options. The good times roll here.

Philadelphia City Institute Library Offers Weekly Programs for Adults and Kids

CHILL from home with PCI’s Virtual Yoga-Based Movement Workshop Monday, November 7, 6:00 pm. Email here for the Zoom registration link.  

Share songs, stories, tickles & bounces with your baby, meet other parents, and spend time reading and playing together with other families at Read, Baby, Read! Baby and Caregiver Storytime and Meetup Tuesday, November 8 at 10 am. Meet at the goat statue in Rittenhouse Square. In case of rain or snow, storytime will be canceled.

Both weekly programs are sponsored by Friends of the Philadelphia City Institute.

Calling All Submissions at Frameworks Gallery

CCRA Merchant Partner Frameworks Studio is looking for good local art for its SmallWorks show at its on-site gallery.

How it works: You submit no more than four pieces for consideration via the submission form on their website.  You receive an email if your work is accepted. If it’s accepted, they will display it at their upcoming art show in January. 

Once accepted, you determine the sale price; then, just drop off the work in person and pay the $25 per-piece framing fee and they’ll take it from there. If it sells, you get 60% (their commission is 40%.) If it doesn’t sell, you get the framed artwork back! Email here with any questions. Submission deadline: Nov. 25. Good Luck!

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.

Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587)

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

Astral Artists, 1500 Walnut St. (215-735-6999)

12th Street Catering, 3312 Spring Garden St (215-386-8595)

Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St (215-496-9244)

Branzino Italian BYOB, 261 S. 17th St (215-790-0103)

City Fitness, 2101 South St & 1819 JFK Blvd (609-254-9048) 

Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St (215-665-9220)

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 & Gallery, 2103 Walnut St (215-567-6800)

Loews Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market St (215-627-1200)

Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 S. Broad St (215-893-1900)

CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner.