This Week: June 8, 2023

Design/Layout and Writer – Travis Oliver

Good Faith and the Greater Good

Detailed below is the story of the trash initiative conceived and created by CCRA to address the trash situation in the Fitler Square neighborhood.

To us, it’s a prime example of what a public-private partnership can accomplish when working together in good faith for the greater good. Each gives a little, all get a lot.

It’s unfortunate that this sort of thing seems to have fallen out of favor of late. The hope here is that the new and incoming Mayor and City Council take the opportunity and creates public-private partnerships of its own, in good faith and for the greater good.

You Spoke, and We Listened

Going back years, when CCRA leadership asked members what issues were foremost in their minds, the issue of pedestrian trash was almost always near the top of the list.

You said you couldn’t find a place to put that coffee cup, soda can or dog poop, other than on top of your neighbor’s trash or snuck into an otherwise empty recycling container.

You said you were tired of your neighbors leaving that coffee cup, soda can or dog poop in your trash can or recycling container (especially and most annoyingly right after trash pickup!).

You told us that you were tired of the level of trash on our streets and in our garden planters or window wells – all the things that lend a ring of truth to the oft-muttered epithet: “Philthadelphia.”

We listened, and now we acted. Over a year ago, CCRA formed an unofficial “Trash Force” to explore alternatives for constructive action. We gathered ideas and best practices from other cities and decided that, despite local folk wisdom, street trash cans do not create trash. Street cans give pedestrians options and concentrate trash in receptacles that, if properly managed, can meaningfully reduce street trash.

CCRA worked with the Fitler Square Neighborhood Association to identify 12 priority sites in the Fitler/South Square/Rittenhouse area – roughly the area from 18th Street west to the Schuylkill and Locust to South—and to place a new city trash can at each. We sought support from Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and with his help and the help of his staff we worked out a plan that earned us the ear of the City. Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams enthusiastically embraced the plan and, on May 31, the City placed 12 cans wrapped with a distinct CCRA logo and messaging.

The plan is for a CCRA employee to empty each can and replace the bags on a regular schedule. We know that some cans fill up more quickly than others, so the exact schedule will be adjusted until we get it just right. The bags will either be disposed of by CCRA or, if the schedule can be coordinated with the City Sanitation Department, the bags will be tied securely and placed alongside the trash cans in time for normal residential pick-up. We are also working with select businesses whose customers and neighbors benefit from the trash cans nearby. These volunteers will monitor the cans and assist our CCRA team by accepting some trash bags into their commercial pick-ups. We will be giving “shout outs” to those businesses who help keep our neighborhood clean.

These 12 new cans are for your use and enjoyment as you walk around our beautiful neighborhood and to accommodate guests who enjoy our parks, squares, restaurants and specialty shops. The cans are NOT for residential trash. If you see people placing household trash in the cans, politely suggest consulting the Street’s Department residential pick-up schedule, and let CCRA know if problems persist.

This is a pilot. We will be assessing its success after the first 12 weeks. If successful, our approach will be used by the City as a model for engaging civic groups throughout Philadelphia in a team effort to better address the challenge of too much trash and too few convenient options for disposal.

CCRA News and Events

Juneteenth Office Closure and Trash Collection

In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, CCRA is closed on Monday, June 19. The office will reopen on Tuesday, June 20. All messages and emails will be returned on Tuesday. In addition, no trash will be collected on Monday, June 19. Collection will resume on Tuesday, June 20.

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 spotlight new Merchant Partner 1600 Spruce Street Home, Design and Gift.

Spruce Up Your Home with 1600 Spruce Street Home!

Just moved in, got a space to decorate? Need to put a new face on the old place? Something else? Whatever your deal, let new Merchant Partner 1600 Spruce Street Home, Design and Gift be your new BFF.

A transitional interior design firm and retail boutique, they are known for their design work but also have custom items of all kinds available in their store. They believe in supporting small, which is why all of their custom furnishings are manufactured in the U.S. by small, multigenerational craftsmen.

So by all means stop by their retail boutique and shop their eclectic collection of furniture, lighting, rugs, décor and gifts. And, to CCRA Members: They are offering 15% off store-wide on ALL products and services, including custom furniture, window treatments and more.

Clean, Safe and Green

For Earth’s Sake, Attend For Earth’s Sake

PhilHarmonia, a 40-voice community choir that sings classical and contemporary choral music, is proud to close its ninth season this Sunday June 11 with the world premiere of Adam Silverman’s “Elegy for the Earth”, a powerful setting of poems by Susan Gubernat that bemoan the harmful effects of negligent human activity on the environment and the direness of climate change. The program runs from 3 to 4:30 pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Center of Philadelphia 4200 Wissahickon Avenue. Details here.

In Search of Zen? Look No Further Than “Ecotherapy”

Because “wherever you go, there you are”, come celebrate Spring with a peaceful hike and mediation this Sunday at 9am at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park. Join Ecotherapist Krista Nelson and other nature lovers for a guided hike and meditation. Details groove here.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

June Becomes Pride

Philadelphia celebrates Pride Month the entire month of June, with events and celebrations everywhere. For a guide to all that, head here.

Cocktails for a Good Cause

FCM Hospitality presents a special month-long fundraiser for four local charities during Philly Gay Pride Month. Drink the rainbow with Cocktails for a Cause at venues all around town. Each FCM location will work in unison to raise funds for LGBTQ community programs during Pride Month. For deets, go here.

Community News and Events

Cinema al fresco: “Creature From the Black Lagoon”

Creature-feature fans, pounce! Come see the legendary atomic-age horror classic “Creature From the Black Lagoon” at the equally legendary Laurel Hill Cemetery (yes, a cemetery) this Friday at 8:30pm. Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, the details creep here.

Five New Plays, Free Admission at the Drake on June 12

The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents its third annual New Ventures Play Festival with five new works – none more than ten minutes – inspired by the classics and based on the theme of “The Evolution of Human Rights”. Admission is free, but tickets are necessary.

Go here for more info. Go there for tickets.

Soiree for Guitar and YOU at the Athenaeum This Friday

Take a break from the funk and zap of modern life by joining fellow classical-guitar lovers at the Athenaeum on S. 6th Street for a concert soiree by award-winning guitarist Hao Yang. Ms. Yang entered the Curtis Institute at age 16, and has studied with Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, among many others, and has been invited to perform solo recitals around the globe. For tickets and information, strum over here.

High Rise Conference Fills the Skies Tuesday, June 20

High on high-rises? Would you like to know the state of the industry from those who know it? Then “2023 Elevate” -- an all-day June 20 Center City Condo Conference -- is for you. Put on by Community Associations Institute, it will feature discussions of the “building envelope”, EV charging stations plus a tour of the Art Haus Condominium (and, of course, a Happy Hour). It all takes place at the Arts Ballroom at 1324 Locust Street. And CCRA members who mention that they saw it in CCRA This Week are eligible for a discount! Go here for more info, or contact Tony Campisi c/o tony@caikeystone.com.

Free Organ Recital at Verizon Hall Saturday, June 17

You’ve heard him on the Wanamaker Organ in Macy’s, now join Peter Richard Conte on the evening of June 17 for a free organ recital as he performs beloved works on the famous Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall. We’re talking Britten, Elgar, Barber, Strauss, Bizet and more! The details sing 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.

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)

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