This Week: January 20, 2021

JEDI Launches Inaugural Discussion

CCRA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative (aka JEDI) kicked off Wednesday, January 19 with Sense in the City, a discussion on Public Spaces and Thoroughfares. Hugh Taft- Morales of the Philadelphia Ethical Society introduced the concept with a history of public spaces in the United States, pointing out that not everyone was welcome in public parks or on mass transit in the past. He cited the work of Elijah Anderson, who wrote about “Cosmopolitan Canopies”, public spaces where diverse peoples come together, and for the most part practice “getting along.” Dr. Anderson said that Rittenhouse Square and the Reading Terminal were examples of “cosmopolitan canopies” in Philadelphia. 

After Hugh’s brief presentation, the break-out groups and final wrap-up were highly engaged discussions. Everyone present valued the diversity in Rittenhouse Square while recognizing that some behaviors can be annoying. We also recognized that the issue of “feeling safe” in spaces that are filled with diverse people and activities can still be challenging.  

There were some technical difficulties that have now been corrected. Please join us for future discussions, whose topics include:

• February 9 - Equity, Public Schools and Democracy
• February 23 - Homelessness and Humanity
• March 9 – Fear and Street Crime
• March 23 - Climate Justice and Economic Justice

Maggie Mund

CCRA JEDI Chair

(Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion)

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 25, 7 pm

via Zoom

View the agenda here

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89311980153 

Follow the Love (Building)

A few weeks ago, we reported on the new historical designation of the Love Building at 1523 Chestnut Street. One of our members, Dilek Karabucak, Executive Director of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia, sent in the info about Eliza Cecilia Beaux (1865-1942) and her artistic ties to our neighborhood, as well as Philadelphia’s Geographical Society. Give this lady some love, or Philly style “sisterly affection”! Click here to learn more about Ms. Beaux.

Auto Alert: Watch Your Ride’s Back

There are some bad actors out there, and lately, they’ve been targeting both cars and car parts.

In Philadelphia, there have been 90 carjackings reported in the first half of January. There were 750 in all of 2021. That 750 total is nearly double that of the year 2020. Details and the city’s response here.

Also spiking very high is theft of catalytic converters, which contain precious metals and which can be sawed off and stolen within minutes, often in broad daylight. In the year 2020 fewer than 1,000 converters were reported stolen.  In 2021 the number jumped 330%, to 3,300.  Details and prevention suggestions here.

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win:  It provides smaller local businesses with complementary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts.  This week we spotlight the Rittenhouse framing emporium Frameworks Studio.

Frameworks Studio Brings the Art of Framing

Frameworks Studio at 21st & Walnut Sts. is not just another framing house. How so? Well, for one, the framers are artists themselves, complete with Fine Arts degrees. For another, there is an active on-site gallery that offers seasonal exhibitions featuring the works of local artists.

And finally, as a CCRA Merchant Partner, FrameWorks offers CCRA members 10% off on all framing. So do please stop by at 21st & Walnut and say hello to FrameWorks!

Are you using the Merchant Partner 'Deals and Discounts' Program?

We would like to hear from our members! Please take this very brief survey and let us know your thoughts, so that we may improve on this popular membership benefit program. Thanks much!

Support Philly’s Black-Owned Restaurants

What better time than the week of MLK Day to celebrate, enjoy and support Philadelphia’s Black-owned restaurants? Dive bar, BBQ, bakeries, sandwich shop, Southern American…

It’s all here, and it’s all here.

Don't Strain the Drain

Across the city, there are 75,000 storm drains collecting rain and melted snow. Many people don’t realize that those in our neighborhood lead directly to the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. 

CCRA Green is spreading the word by working with the Philadelphia Water Department and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to mark the storm drains in our neighborhood. Help keep our watershed healthy!

• Pick up litter so it doesn’t wash into drains and end up in our streams. 
• Put dog waste in the trash, not in the street or down a storm drain. 
• Bag leaves. 
• Minimize the use of toxic substances. Substitute natural products for mothballs, drain openers, oven cleaners, and insect sprays. 
• Choose water-based paints and wash brushes in your sink with water. 
• Reuse and recycle paint thinner. It’s hazardous. Don’t pour it down the drain or in a storm drain. 

Do you want to help us mark storm drains? Email centercity@centercityresidents.org.

Community Garden Plot

Each year five garden plots (four 10X10 and one 10X15) in the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden (25th and Spruce St) are awarded to non-members of the Center City Residents’ Association (CCRA) for a one-season term. Click here for details.

Kindergarten Registration

The day is almost here, Kindergarten Registration for the 2022-2023 school year begins on Tuesday, January 18! Registration for Greenfield will be online only (no in-person registrations).

Remember to have the following ready:

• Proof of student's age
• Proof of address*
• Immunization records

*Greenfield has specific Proof of Addresses (this differs from the SDP):

Either a PECO or PGW bill AND a Driver's License/State Non-Driving ID at the address

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

• Limit of one order per residential address
• One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
• Orders will ship free starting in late January

Fill in this form with your contact and shipping information to order your test https://special.usps.com/testkits

Give the Precious Gift of Blood

We regret to inform you that both the Philadelphia area and the nation as a whole are experiencing a significant shortage in the blood supply. While the details can be found here, please go here to donate, being mindful of the fact that you’ll need to book ahead because fewer appointments are available due to the worker shortage.

Closed Book: Joseph Fox Bookstore to Cease Operations Jan. 29

Sansom Street book haven Joseph Fox Bookstore has announced that it will close its doors for good effective January 29. Launched in 1951, the shop at 1724 Sansom has provided booklovers the polar opposite of a big-box store. The epilogue can be found here.

Best of the Old & New: Giant Heirloom Market

Take an up-to-the-moment supermarket and combine it with a classic Beaux-Arts luxury department store building, and what do you get?

You get the new Giant Heirloom Market, located within what formerly housed the grand Strawbridge and Clothier luxury store at 8th and Markets Streets.

You can use your imagination as to what that’s like, or you can read (and see) all about it here.

Penn Museum Showcases Style and Adornment

The Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, is "showcasing 2,500 years of style and adornment through approximately 250 remarkable objects, The Stories We Wear reveals how clothing and accessories offer powerful expressions of identity—examining the purpose and meaning behind what we wear. Discover a spectacular array of attire, jewelry, uniforms, regalia, and tattoos." 

On view till June 12. 

Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and first Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Mask, proof of vax, and ID required. Timed tickets.

Nominees Wanted for Mayor’s Day of Service Award

Know someone worthy of thanks and praise? The Mayor’s Office is looking for a few good people for its Mayor’s Day of Service Recognition Award to honor those who made a positive impact in their community. Read all about it here.

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.

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

Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor

Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their virtual concerts.

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

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

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

Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)

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

Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)

Photo Lounge, 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 Rounds, Use code CCRATHEROUNDS to receive free membership.

Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)

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