This Week: April 20, 2023

Design/Layout and Writer – Travis Oliver

Ever Volunteer

This is National Volunteer Week, where we honor the selfless spirit of the volunteer and echo the call for more citizens to serve their communities.

Truly: Where would we be without volunteerism? Think of all the houses that would not have been built, all the care not provided, all the neighborhoods not maintained. Thankfully, the list goes on.

So if you’re a volunteer: Thank You, and keep up the good work! And if not? Come down out of the bleachers and get in the game!

CCRA News and Events

Clean Sidewalks Ain’t Free

Semi-annually, CCRA asks that ALL residents do their share to keep our sidewalks clean by contributing to our Clean, Safe and Green appeal. Fact is, we now pay $36,000 to keep the non-Center City District part of our neighborhood clean, swept and inviting for a walk with a friend, dog or family. This covers getting our sidewalks swept every week of the year, following trash pick up.

Included in your membership fees? Not.

If you’re not a member yet, no worries. We’ll happily use your contribution to beautify the neighborhood sidewalks. Is it worth an annual tax deductible contribution of $100 bucks/household to have clean sidewalks as you walk to the store, work or exercise? You betcha! Pay your fair share here.

Save the Date

CCRA Annual Meeting

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Freire Charter School

2027 Chestnut St.

More details to come

(Date subject to change)

Your Democratic Primary Primer

The Democratic Primary is now less than four weeks away – May 16, to be exact – and there are more than a few things to focus on this time around.

Like:

City Controller: Who’s Running? Find out here.
Where are the Mayoral candidates on gun violence? See them speak here.
What are the various citizen agendas? Look here.
Candidate Open House tonight in the 8th Ward? Meet and greet here.

BFF New Offerings near the Banks Trail

The Live Wires at Building Friends in Fitler have two offerings for you this month:

Gently used Kids’ Stuff Shop and Swap (Sat., 4/22 10AM –1PM)

Outgrown, unused, no longer wanted kids items and swap them for items you can use!

Find kids clothing, small toys, books in good usable condition. Nothing to swap? Come anyway! Any unclaimed items will be donated.
Got donations? Drop off any of the above at Markward Recreation Center this Fri (4-6pm) or Sat. (9am-12noon)
Can you help sort? Come early on Sat! (8:30 am). Volunteers get first dibs!
For more info, contact fsrporg@gmail.com

Friday Morning Walk on the Schuylkill Banks Trail

New Walking Group on Fridays at 9:00AM

This 1-hour walk starts off from 25th and Spruce Streets, walking along the River Trail. The group will return to the park, and those who would like to grab coffee at Rowhome Coffee are encouraged to do so! Rain cancels.

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 25 @ 7pm

Via Zoom

View Agenda here.

Zoom Link here.

Zoning Committee is Looking for New Members

Do you love this neighborhood? Do you care what it develops into?

Join fellow Center City residents on the Zoning Committee to address this. Responsibilities include meeting once a month and reviewing zoning cases. A background in design, preservation, law, or development is helpful, but not required. What is required is a true interest in Center City's built environment and a willingness to engage in productive, focused discussions. We provide training on zoning (i.e., what the Committee can and cannot address). To apply, please send your resume and why you are interested to centercity@centercityresidents.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

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 stalwart Bakeshop on 20 th.

Something’s Always Cooking at the Bakeshop

Why is Bakeshop on 20th always so crowded? Well, why do you think?

Could it be the smell of the baking of pastries such as scones, muffins, sticky buns, chocolate babkas, fudge brownies, and cookies as they’re pulled from the ovens?

Could it be the made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, the hand-sliced smoked salmon and avocado toast served on your choice of artisanal English muffins, croissants or wraps?

Center City residents aren’t stupid; the Bakeshop is packed for a reason.

Why not see for yourself? And while you’re there, mention CCRA and you’ll get an extra little goodie to accompany the treat you just purchased.

Clean, Safe and Green

Go on a Trek With Your Bike

Thanks to our friends at Trek Bicycle Philadelphia Center City for creating a “go to” list of beautiful spring bike rides for our silver-level bicycle-friendly city. Yes, there’s routes for Ardmore (The Climber Loop and The Ardmore), Manayunk, Wayne, Ridley Creek, Rose Glen, and the Ambler Rambler. Best of all, mobile directions are readily available for your phone on Ride With GPS. More comfortable going with a group? The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia welcomes all (it’s free!) to join with them for group rides; there’s safety in numbers when cycling on the road. Hop on this for details.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Finalists Announced for Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue

The City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee are pleased to announce that five talented artists have been selected by the Advisory Committee as semi-finalists who will create and propose original designs for the Tubman statue. The winning design will become a permanent statue located on the northeast apron of City Hall that celebrates Harriet Tubman’s life, legacy, and contributions to our nation’s history. Read and learn more about the five finalists here.

Philly Pride Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Do you like to run the Metric Miles? On Saturday, June 10, Philly Pride Run is back! All runners are invited to celebrate Pride with the LGBTQ+ communities by coming together and bringing these communities closer. This year, the run takes place at the Navy Yard 5k course located at Broad and Intrepid Ave. For more info and to register, prep here.

Join CCRA Now

Community News and Events

For more about Eric Berg, go here.

Philly’s “Temple to Athena” (better (un)known as The ATHENÆUM) Holds Workshops

THE ATHENÆUM OF PHILADELPHIA is quite the find at 219 S. 6th St.. Founded in 1814, its purpose is to collect materials “connected with the history and antiquities of America, and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge” for public benefit.

They are now celebrating their second annual Story Explorers program for kids and families, so come explore their books, libraries and maps. This Saturday (4/22), enjoy readings, paper-making and workshops by local authors and teachers. For details and schedule of events, explore here .

An Immersive Cocktail Wonderland

Tired of the same-old same-old? How does an Alice-in-Wonderland immersive cocktail experience sound? That’s what you’ll find at The Alice Philadelphia at Thanal Indian Tavern on Arch Street. Among other things, you’ll: create two bespoke Wonderland cocktails; solve riddles and challenges (just like Alice), and Devour an “Eat Me” cookie. Devour the details here.

Center City Jazz Festival Returns Saturday

After a three-year hiatus due to you-know-what, the Center City Jazz Festival makes its triumphant, honkin’ return this Saturday featuring 20 bands across five different venues around town, all within walking distance of each other. Ticket-holders have access to every venue. Swing the 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.

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)

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

Mr FIX, 413 S. 20th St (215-261-5646)

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)