This Week: May 18, 2023

Design/Layout and Writer – Travis Oliver

Cherelle Parker

It came as quite a surprise Tuesday evening when Cherelle Parker emerged victorious in the 2023 Democratic Mayoral Primary, as in the two polls we saw she finished squarely in the middle of the pack.

So how did she do it? The old-fashioned way, evidently, garnering support from unions, ward leaders and leading Democrats.

Issue #1 being crime, Ms. Parker has supported stop-and-frisk to help fight crime and has urged the hiring of 300 additional police personnel. Her position on the new Sixers arena appears undecided at the moment.

So, Congratulations to Ms. Parker for running a successful campaign that culminated in victory. If she wins in November, she would be Philly’s 100th Mayor – and its first woman. For all that and more we can only wish her the best.

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Public Zoning Committee

Tuesday, May 23, 7pm

Find Zoom link here

Find Agenda here

CCRA 76th Annual Meeting

CCRA’s 76th Annual Meeting, held at the Freire School May 11, was attended by over 50 members, who elected the new class of CCRA Board Members and heard from two important speakers.

PA State Rep. Ben Waxman talked about revisiting legislative priorities like gun control and state aid to Philadelphia. Next, we heard from Jeffery Young Jr., the candidate on the ballot to succeed Darrell Clarke as the District 5 council member. Young cited a commitment to the best quality of life possible in all neighborhoods. More information will be available in our upcoming Center City Quarterly Newsletter.

Suburban Garage Sale Goes Urban

It’s spring cleaning time, folks. Time to clear the clutter out of the closet. GoodWill is a great option….but if you have some “chachkas” to sell, check out our local BFF affiliate Trinity Memorial Church for their Sidewalk Sale on June 3. Shop the day of, or, better yet, buy a table and turn your “trash” to another’s “treasure”. Here’s the flyer for details.

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 men’s fashion oasis Blue Sole Shoes.

Get Your Happy Feet to Blue Sole Shoes

If you’re a man (or if there’s a man in your life), there’s really only one place to go when it comes to shoes, and that would be Blue Sole Shoes at 18th & Chestnut.

But be not misled: this isn’t merely a shoe store; au contraire, this is a premier men’s boutique that harkens back to 2007. And so we’re talking not only fashion-forward shoes here but also stylin’ belts, socks, bags, accessories and yes, gift cards, all delivered with top-notch customer service.

It’s a tough call as to which is more attractive: their website or the store itself, so why not browse both?

Oh, and this: CCRA members receive 10% off regularly-priced merchandise.

Clean, Safe and Green

De-Stress With Exercise at Love Park

Join an “all levels” free workout at Love Park on Wednesday, May 24, at 4pm. Get 45 minutes of exercise, meet new people, and have fun. Two time slots are available. This is a great opportunity to stay active and reduce the stress of work. For more information and to register (required), visit here .

Like the idea but busy that day? No excuse for slackin’! Find all kinds of free outdoor workouts for the summer here.

Relax at the Schuylkill Bank with Parks on Tap

Parks on Tap is setting up shop right on the Schuylkill Banks, under the Walnut Street Bridge from Wed., May 31, thru Sun., June 4. Special event: join your neighbors for Happy Hour on May 31 from 4-6 to help support Penn Treaty Park. Visit here for additional information and directions.

Heartening Trends re Violent Crime

Credited to a redeployment of patrol officers and an update to the Police Department’s “pinpoint” strategy re gun crimes, the PPD reports the following encouraging signs over this time last year:

Number of people killed, down 14%
Number of shooting victims, down 17%
Clearance rate at 64%, compared to 48% last year
Carjackings, down 33%

Details of this positive trend here.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

A Worthy Road Trip

The Michael Carbonaro Magic Show is coming to town (well, the burbs)! This is an amazing opportunity to witness some truly mind-blowing magic tricks and illusions. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience! Michael Carbonaro will be performing at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, on Saturday, May 20. Get your tickets here. Add in a stop at Primex Garden Center , and you’ve got yourself a worthy road trip.

Volunteer to Support Local Literacy and Education

Beyond Literacy, the adult learning center at 211 N. 13th St, is in need of volunteers. The center offers basic high school courses, English for Speakers of Other Languages, financial literacy, citizen prep, high school equivalency prep, workplace skills, and computer literacy. Volunteers are needed for a variety of onsite or remote positions to teach, facilitate, tutor, schedule, and assist. Details and contact info here.

Community News and Events

Grays Ferry Triangles Meeting Set For May 24

It’s putting it mildly to say that the Grays Ferry Triangle Gateway project is a bit complicated. More than a few moving parts, with a fair amount at stake.

Overall, the Triangles project itself has the general support of the three relevant RCO’s: South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA), Fitler Square Neighborhood Association (FSNA), and CCRA.

A more controversial issue is that of the reversal of traffic on 24^th Street between Lombard and South Sts.

To make sure you’re up to speed, there will be SOSNA’s virtual meeting at 7pm on May 24, which will provide an opportunity to hear from the Streets Dept. and the RCO’s and to ask questions.

Details on the Grays Ferry project here. To register for the meeting, go here.

Images of 24th Street between Lombard & Bainbridge Sts today.

End of COVID-19 Emergency Means What?

It’s official! COVID-19 is no longer a national public health emergency. It ended after the World Health Organization announced that it is no longer a global public health emergency. Does that mean the pandemic is over? Not quite.

Our national and global health professionals say that things have improved enough so that we can move toward a new phase of the pandemic. Read more here.

Guided Architecture and History Tour….Right Here!

The Old Barnes Building Is New Again

Ever wonder whatever happened to the original Lower Merion Barnes Museum building when the Foundation moved to its current Parkway location? Well, wonder no more, as it’s been modernized and re-born as the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum.

The new home to the 3,000-piece collection of St. Joseph’s University, it’s an iconic legacy Paul Cret-designed building with all the modern touches that provide new ways to experience art.

Details exhibited here.

Useful links

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.

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)

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

The Rounds, internet only

Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St (267-519-2001)

William Schwartz Jewelry, 1831 Chestnut St (215-665-8115)