This Week: September 5, 2024 | |
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CCRA This Week is back, and we trust you are, too. Suitcases unpacked, sand out of our shoes… all that.
And so now it’s on to warm days, cool nights, playoff baseball, and Eagle football. High Hopes! We also hear rumors that there’s an election of some sort upcoming….
In any event, we join CCRA President Leo Levinson (below) in wishing all a warm Welcome Back!
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From CCRA President Leo Levinson | |
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Hello neighbors, and Whew! CCRA has been busy over the summer!
Our zoning committee continues to preserve the physical culture of our neighborhood; our close connection with the Police continues to keep our neighborhood safer, as crime is down double digits; CCRA’s government relations committee has grown, forging even more valuable connections with both our City and State governments, so watch for our Sept. 23 Tax assessment workshop at the Freire School with Councilman Young to help all neighbors properly manage their tax assessments. Likewise, watch for our November fundraiser with Curtis. It’s sure to be an extraordinary event.
I cordially invite you to help me make a difference: join a committee, ask a neighbor to become a CCRA member, invite CCRA to give a talk on the “State of the Neighborhood” at your building or organization, and mention CCRA when you enjoy a discount at one of our many merchant partners.
The best of Center City West is yet to be. Let’s make things happen . . . together!
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Oops! Read This! Center City Quarterly Here!! | |
We apologize for the technical difficulties regarding the distribution of our Fall CCQ. For those who missed out on reading our unique and amazing quarterly magazine, click the updated link here. | |
Parking is Such Sweet Sorrow | |
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Lovely neighborhood we live in, but the parking….. meh as best.
Join CCRA’s Streets maven Bill West as he drills down into the issues here.
| Property Assessment Town Hall/Workshop at Friere School Sept. 23 | |
Got questions about Property Assessments? Need answers? Who doesn’t?
Come to the Freire Charter School at 6 pm on Sept. 23 to fill in your knowledge gaps and get your questions answered, as the Office of Property Assessment and the Department of Revenue – in collaboration with Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. -- hosts a joint Town Hall/Workshop.
Find out the specifics of Property Assessment, the appeal process and how to file for relief.
There will be a FAQ presented, along with an extensive Q&A. This is your chance to get the facts!
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Public Zoning Committee Meeting | |
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CCRA held its monthly zoning meeting on Tuesday, August 27. If you missed it, you can watch it here. Go here to view the report.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at 7 pm via Zoom.
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CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE | |
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 Philly Cabaret at Rittenhouse Grill! | |
Life is a Cabaret at New Merchant Partner Philly Cabaret! | |
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Come to the Cabaret, Old Chum, come to the new Merchant Partner Philly Cabaret at the Rittenhouse Grill!
Why? Distinguished Broadway talent and a delectable meal at a luxurious 1940’s-style supper club modeled after NYC’s Café Carlyle. It’s all part of the An Evening With Me series featuring Storm Large, Liz & Ann Callaway and "A Swinging Christmas" direct from Birdland in New York starring Stritch, Blackhurst, and Caruso.
You do not want to miss this! Here are the details: Show dates: Large, Sept 23… Callaway, Oct 14, and… Swinging, Dec 17.
CCRA members can purchase premium seating (up close) at standard seating price while supplies last; CCRA members can purchase up to 4 tickets per member.
A full dinner (think prime rib) including gratuity and tax plus the cabaret show with premium seating costs $200 per ticket (as opposed to $225.)
*Members will need to call 215-901-5754 to get their tickets. This offer is not available online or for previous purchased tickets.
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Sick of Counting Sheep?….Try Bicycles Instead | |
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VOLUNTEERS: it’s time to take to the Philly streets for 90-minute shifts (mornings, evenings) to help the Bike Coalition track bike usage info. In Sept and Oct, volunteers for the Bicycle Coalition track biking “behavior” - riding on the sidewalk or the wrong way down the street, whether they are wearing helmets, and if they are on Indego bikes or their own. Counters also mark down perceived gender, which street they’re traveling on, and the number of E-Scooters. With your help, we can make our streets (and sidewalks!) safer and more accessible. View 2023’s report here.
Can you saddle on over this year and lend a hand? Wheelie over here for details.
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Take A Walk On The Wild (Mural) Side | |
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You don’t need to walk very far in any direction in Philadelphia to pass by an amazing work of art painted on the side of a building. But if you want to see the best of them, and learn more about their creation, sign up for the free curated tour of dozens of mural artworks, led by the Freewalkers organization.
The tour takes place on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10:15 am and starts and ends in Love Park (across from Suburban Station at 16th and JFK. The entire tour takes about 5-6 hours and covers approximately 10 miles, but you can drop out at any time.
While you’ll see a great sample of what’s out there in the wild, Philadelphia has more than 4,000 murals, making it one of the world's largest outdoor art galleries and earning it the nickname "Mural Capital of the World." What started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia is now the nation's largest public art program and has grown into an international leader. Get your tickets here.
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Chill is in the air…. back to work…. kids return to school. Want to dial it down a bit? My friends…we have the answer. And it’s just a breath away…..a belly breath, that is. Register and grab your mat, a water bottle, and Walk your Dog over to Yoga on the Banks (Schuylkill Banks at Locust St on Monday, 9/16) or the Remake Yoga Club at the Azalea Garden (behind the Art Museum on Saturday, 9/14) for free sessions.
And let your Xmas shopping wait until Black Friday!
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Walnut and 18th Streets Become Pedestrian Malls | |
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It’s time to take it to the streets each Sunday in September, when you can stroll, shop, and socialize along sections of Walnut and 18th Streets, which will be closed to cars from 10 am to 5 pm each day (see map).
Center City District (CCD), with support from Rittenhouse Row and the City of Philadelphia, will provide ambient entertainment, including acoustic musicians, strolling performers, dance groups, and more. A family-friendly zone will offer sidewalk chalk, games, and activities for kids.
The car-free zone on Walnut Street is between 15th and 19th Streets, and on 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut. The cross streets will remain open at select intersections, including 16th, 17th, and 19th Street, and the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Sansom Street.
Stroll. Shop. Socialize. Enjoy! Click here for all the deets!
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A “Grand” Tour: Grandparents Day Hike in the Wissahickon | |
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What better way to celebrate Grandparents Day than by being in the “grand” outdoors?
Thanks to the Friends of the Wissahickon and Hike+Heal, you can do just that this Sunday at 1 pm. Bring Grandparents, other family, friends… all are welcome. Details hike here.
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Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | |
2025 Philadelphia Fringe Festival | |
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The Fringe Festival is back in Philadelphia from September 5-29! Explore the creativity and innovation of Fringe Arts through independent contemporary performances and events. The first festival took over Philadelphia’s Old City for five days, and featured 60 performing groups that presented their work. Today, the annual festival features more than 1,000 performances by national, international, and Philadelphia-based artists. For more information, click here.
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Changes in Rules of the Road for Real Estate | |
As many of you may know, in August of 2024, significant changes were implemented by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Multiple Listing Services (MLS). As we enter into this new season with changes among us, here are a few things to take note of. | |
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Some Changes for Homebuyers:
1. Agent Agreements: Buyers are now required to sign a written agreement with their real estate agent before they can tour any properties. This is intended to clarify the relationship and services provided by the agent, ensuring transparency from the start. PA has always had this contract in place in the 23 years I’ve been selling real estate.
2. Commission Visibility: Offers of compensation to buyer agents by sellers can no longer be posted on MLS platforms. They can be posted on personal marketing, brokerage marketing, and social media.
Some Changes for Home Sellers:
1. Compensation Flexibility: Sellers still have the option to offer compensation to buyer brokers, but they must now explicitly approve any payments to other brokers and disclose this information conspicuously. This change aims to give sellers more control over their transactions and ensure that all parties are fully informed.
2. Negotiable Commissions: While the rules have changed, commission rates themselves remain negotiable and are not dictated by the MLS. This means that sellers and buyers can still work out terms that best suit their needs, but these negotiations are now more transparent.
These adjustments come amidst broader legal challenges, including class-action lawsuits and a reopened Department of Justice investigation into NAR’s practices, particularly concerning anti-competitive behavior in the real estate industry.
These changes could particularly impact first-time buyers who may find it harder to afford professional real estate services without the embedded commissions. However, the transparency and flexibility introduced by these changes are expected to lead to more equitable real estate transactions in the long run.
Change is usually uncomfortable, whether it be good or not so good… My mother, partner and I feel comfortable navigating these new rules with a positive outlook and a stress-free approach to anyone looking to buy or sell.
If you have any questions regarding these new regulations, please feel free to reach out to me at Katefederico@compass.com.
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Community News and Events | |
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The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show returns for its record-breaking 97th year on Sept. 20-22, starting at 11 am each day. Don’t miss this chance to see fine works from artists across the nation, who travel to Philly to share their art with collectors, patrons and visitors from our area.
Founded by artists in 1928, and run by a committee of artists today, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show is the oldest outdoor art show in the country. Steeped in rich history and tradition, there is absolutely no other show like it.
Learn more at the official Fine Art Show web page, which also includes a link to the surprising history of this iconic event.
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A Hauntingly Beautiful Art Collaboration | |
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Friday, September 20 will be a night that all cinephiles will remember! M. Night Shyamalan, the mastermind director, producer, and screenwriter behind many iconic films (most of which have been set in the Philly area) is hosting a concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Join in the celebration of one of the most successful collaborations between contemporary film director and composer, James Newton Howard. To purchase tickets and get more information, click here.
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A Beautiful Building, Intriguing Art, Local Lore, and Refreshments- All Local and Free | |
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Join hosts Che Guerrero and Alyssa Al-Dookhi behind the scenes of Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking The Attic, a live, interactive exploration of over 600 authentic objects, telling the story of Philadelphia’s city history collection. The night begins at 6 pm at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts with refreshments, followed by a chat with First Person Arts storytellers featured on the Philadelphia Revealed Podcast, sharing their connections to Philly’s history, and taking questions from the audience. Click here to get your free ticket.
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Bring your appetite, but not your bankroll, to the more than 100 restaurants participating in the Center City District’s Restaurant Week, Sept. 8-21. This popular event offers the opportunity to experience fine dining with $20 two-course lunches and either $40 or $60 dinners. Click here for the list of participating restaurants and their offerings.
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“Beer Here”? Beer EVERYWHERE at the Philly Beer Fest | |
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It’s a hop-head’s delight at the Philly Beer Fest Saturday, Sept. 28 at the 23rd Street Armory. Try the best beer in town - all under the same roof: Specially curated seasonal beers, with a soundtrack provided by live entertainment. But tickets go fast! Chug the details here.
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Just because you wouldn’t want to eat what is caught in the Schuylkill River doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a sunny day of fishing along the Banks. This Saturday, 7am til noon, The Philadelphia Water Dept. is offering a license-free, fun-filled morning of catch-and-release fishing, with a “friendly” competition to boot. You can even borrow their fishing equipment if yours is a wee bit rusty by now. Register and meet up on the Banks, under the Walnut Street Bridge. To be sure to reserve your spot, pre-register by TONIGHT!
Then, take your fishing buddies out for a burger and some fries.
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New Retail’s a-Rockin’ in Center City, and We Got the Deets | |
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As it happens, Center City in America’s “Most Walkable City” (per USA Today) has several intriguing new retail destinations.
Like what, you ask? A fashion boutique, a Mulherin’s Pizza, a yoga studio that also hosts comedy shows, and a “secret restaurant”. Unlock all the secrets here.
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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. | |
CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner. | | | | |
