This Week: December 2, 2021

Editor - Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver

Furness Photo Credit: Benjamin Zuckerman

STAY IN YOUR LANE

It’s not your imagination: bicyclists are more prevalent on the sidewalk of late, and at greater speeds. The results, predictable: painful injuries and terrifying near-misses.

We’re on this. We are actively seeking anecdotes from pedestrians who have experienced such dangerous and reckless bike behavior, our idea being that CCRA provides these stories to our elected leaders as ammo to get the problem resolved.

So please, don’t be shy. Get your detailed horror stories to us c/o centercity@centercityresidents.org, and we promise we’ll take it from there.

Until then: Heads Up!

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Public Zoning Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, CCRA held its monthly public zoning committee meeting. The meeting is available on our YouTube Channel.

The next zoning committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 7 pm. via Zoom.

Tour of Furness buildings

The CCRA’s Historic Preservation Committee is the eyes and ears for preservation-related news in Center City. We follow properties in our community that are up for historic designation at the Philadelphia Historic Commission and propose that significant properties within the CCRA’s boundaries be historically designated by the Historic Commission as well. Center City is a rich source of architecturally important and unique buildings which describe the story of Philadelphia’s urban history. One architect who made an impact on architecture in Philadelphia and the United States was Frank Furness. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour created by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia of some of Furness’ buildings located right here in Center City!

Rest in Peace, George Brodie

Former CCRA President, George R. Brodie Jr., 80, died peacefully at his home in Eagles Mere, Pa., on Fri., Nov. 12, 2021, after valiantly fighting a lengthy and debilitating illness. Son of the late George Rogers Brodie and Frances Peter Brodie, he was born Nov. 21, 1940, and raised in Penn Valley, Montgomery Co., Pa. George attended Episcopal Academy and settled in center city Philadelphia in his 20s where he still maintains a home. You can read the rest of his obituary here.

Are you looking to volunteer?

Members: these organizations are looking for volunteers. Although some were from Thanksgiving, they could use some help throughout the holiday season. If you have the time and would like to lend them a hand, check out the list.

Merchant Partner of the Week

Every week we spotlight a member of the CCRA Merchant Partner ‘Deals & Discount’ Program, which helps local Mom and Pop businesses get back on their post-pandemic feet by

providing complimentary valuable advertising and exposure by encouraging support from CCRA’s highly-engaged (and growing) membership. This week we feature Center City classical music program, Astral Artists.

The Kids Are All Right at Astral Artists

It’s not every city that has the good fortune to have an outfit like Astral Artists in its backyard. A non-profit intensive mentoring program, for 30 years Astral has specialized in developing the early careers of talented young classical musicians. Distinguished alumni include guitarist Jason Vieaux, bass-baritone Eric Owens, pianist Simone Dinnerstein and the string trio Time for Three.

The good news for locals is the “Astral in Concert” series, its public programming arm that introduces Philadelphians to some of the most extraordinary young musicians anywhere. How great it is to get to know future stars “when”.

For CCRA members it gets even better: a $10 discount on any performance (currently virtual). Please use promo code “CCRA”.

Clean, Safe, and Green

Traffic Heads-Up for Saturday, Dec. 4

The all-new VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4th. The parade will kick off at 5:00 p.m. at 2nd & Market Sts. and will proceed up Market St., ending at City Hall.

The following streets will be closed from 4 p.m. to the conclusion of the parade on Saturday, December 4:

Market St. from Front St. to City Hall
Numbered streets between Chestnut & Race Sts. from 2^nd St. to City Hall
City Hall area from S. Broad St. to E. Market St.
S. Broad St. (eastside) from Chestnut St. to City Hall
N. Broad St. from JFK Blvd. to Vine St.
JFK Blvd. from Juniper St. to 15th St.

Parking restrictions will also be in effect in the parade areas.

Useful links

Community News and Events

The Rebound is Real: Center City Foot Traffic Nears Normal

After last year’s non-year, foot traffic in Center City has rebounded nicely. This past October, the number of regional shoppers, tourists, and visitors in Center City was 87% of normal. And the long Thanksgiving weekend saw 104,000 visitors to Dilworth Park for holiday attractions. Details here.

Philly Holiday Experience Kicks off Today and Keeps Rolling

Following a pandemic pause, the Philly Holiday Experience is back in a new and improved form. It all kicks off with an in-person tree lighting at 7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 2 on the Northside of City Hall. Then it really gets going at 5pm Saturday with the first Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade starting at 2nd and Market Streets. There is much, much more, of course. Details of which can be found here.

Boathouse Row Festival of Lights

Boathouse Row’s annual multicultural holiday light display is back as the Philly icon glows in Hanukkah colors through next Monday. Two great spots for soaking up the lights: Fairmount Water Works or the platform above the Fairmount Fish Ladder on the Schuylkill River Trail just off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Hanukkah Dreidel Giveaway in Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St., Saturday, December 4, 6 pm.

Old City Jewish Arts Center hosts this fun dreidel giveaway (while supplies last) at Franklin Square. Guests are invited to hang around afterward to take in the twinkling lights and music during the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO.

Click on the picture for more info

Find the Philly At Lincoln Financial

It’s the game before the game: how many Philly references can you spot in the new mural hanging in the Pepsi Plaza at Lincoln Financial Field?

Created by local illustrator Hawk Krall, the creation is a mega-banner chock-full of Philadelphia people, places, and things. Not to spoil it, but more details here.

Reflections: Art Exhibit at Ageless Gardens (neighborhood artists)

You are invited to Reflections, an exhibition of works by the Naudain Street artists, at Ageless Gardens, 2503 Naudain Street, on Saturday, December 4, and Sunday, December 5 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. In compliance with the CDC requirements, they ask that you please come masked.

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.

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)

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)