This Week: October 21, 2021

Editor - Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer - Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer - Travis Oliver

Upcoming City of Philadelphia Ballot Questions: A Closer Look at Question 4

Question 4 on the ballot for the November 2, 2021 election involves the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund. The Housing Trust Fund supports affordable housing and other programs benefiting low income, disabled and homeless people. It is funded through a variety of sources, including recordation fees and non-mandatory annual appropriations from the City.

Voters will be asked to answer the following question: “Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for a mandatory annual appropriation for the Housing Trust Fund?”

If the ballot measure is approved, the City would be required to set aside 0.5% of the City’s General Fund Appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund. Had this provision been in place for the current fiscal year, it would have resulted in approximately $25 million in general fund appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund.

You can find more information on this ballot measure here: Should Philly mandate an annual cash infusion to the Housing Trust Fund? (Ballot question) - On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)

The Nov. 2 Election: What You Need to Know

The Nov. 2 election may be right around the corner, but it’s not too late to get up to speed about whom the candidates are and what the issues are. There’s the Philla DA race, there’s judgeships, and there’s a number of ballot questions as well, all detailed here.

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Zoning Committee Canceled

There are no properties to review this month. The next zoning committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23, 7pm.

CCRA Proposes Pilot Program for Loading Zone Concept

In a letter to the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (aka OTIS), CCRA President Rick Gross proposed a pilot version of the loading zone concept that has been discussed as a possible solution to parking problems in bike and bus lanes.

The loading zone concept would create one or two loading zone spaces per affected block. These loading zone spaces would revert to normal parking spaces at day’s end. Affected blocks in the CCRA proposal would likely be Pine and Spruce from Broad to 22d.

OTIS has received the proposal and is in the process of reviewing it.

CCRA's Meet & Greet

Last night, for the first time in 2 years, CCRA members gathered together at the Dwight D Hotel’s charming outdoor garden for a happy hour Meet & Greet. Members, board members, and our staff member Travis Oliver were thrilled to finally meet in person. CCRA President Rick Gross spoke briefly - welcoming the crowd and telling the members that exciting things are happening this year.

Thank you to Vittoria Schultz, owner of the Dwight D Hotel, and her hardworking staff for making this post-COVID-19 event such a success.

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 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

Tree Tenders come home to CCRA

The area tree planters have returned home to CCRA! CCRA welcomes the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Tree Tender group as part of its newly-formed standing committee, “CCRA Green.” Exciting news, but this is not the first time CCRA has supported neighborhood tree planting efforts. Many of the mature trees we enjoy today in Center City West were planted by an avid CCRA group that called themselves the Center City Greening Project. From 1992 to 2000, the group mapped the neighborhood trees and their condition and planted hundreds more. The Greening Project evolved into a Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tender group and found a home with the Friends of Schuylkill River Park (FSRP). After many happy years at FSRP, the Tree Tenders are joining the greening taskforce which has its sights set beyond tree planting and care to include environmental concerns such as stormwater management. CCRA Green Tree Tenders will plant 13 street trees on November 20 and are soliciting applications for free street trees to be planted in April (apply here). Volunteers are very welcome to join these greening efforts.

- Susan Kahn, Leader, CCRA Green Tree Tenders

Prepare for Spring Now with Free Bulbs from PHS

Yes, it’s cold and getting colder, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prep for Spring by taking advantage of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Spring Bulb Giveaway offer of free tulip and daffodil bulbs. The date? Oct. 27. Details? Here.

Love Your Park? Here’s Your Chance to Show It

Mark the Nov. 13 space on your calendar, as that’s the date of the Fall Service Day sponsored by the Park Friends Network group to collect leaves for compost, plant trees and flower bulbs and generally just clean up after a busy summer season. Volunteer registration is now open; details here.

***REMINDER***

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Philanthropitch Philadelphia

Headquartered right in our neighborhood- at Peirce College—Beyond Literacy (BeLit) is gearing up to compete in this year’s Philanthropitch Philadelphia.

BeLit’s mission is to expand opportunities and improve lives by unleashing the power of literacy through free, high-quality education. They help adult students get their GED (high school equivalency); they help immigrants learn English as a Second Language. They place adult learners in Community College level learning environments. All programs are through grants, volunteers, supporters and sponsors. Want to help them win the most prestigious Philanthropy prize in Philadelphia? Learn more here.

Ed Bronstein garage sale benefiting charity

Sunday Oct. 24 is the Phila Open Studio Tour (West section). Center City artist Ed Bronstein will have his annual garage sale, showing oil, acrylic, and pastel paintings, as well as ink drawings. All work will be one half of the normal retail price. Purchasers can write checks for all work payable to Philabundance or TreePhilly, both 501(c)3 charitable organizations.

More Info

Useful links

Community News and Events

Got a Problem w/ Taxes? The City Wants to Know

Everyone’s favorite subject (along with that Death thing) is taxes, and the good news on that front is that the City has a new Working Group dedicated to tax reform, and they want your input.

The Tax Reform Working Group will recommend changes to the tax code, specifically focusing on reforms that spur growth in employment, create/grow new businesses and attract existing businesses.

You can attend an Oct. 23 virtual meeting and/or take a survey by registering here. More info about the Working Group can be found here.

Winter Traditions Return to Dilworth Park

This time last year the pandemic made for a Meh-ry Christmas. Not so this year, as starting in November winter traditions will mark their return to Dilworth Park.

Fountains will be replaced by an ice rink. A winter garden (w/ reindeer topiaries) comes to Greenfield Lawn on Nov. 1. Plus a cabin, a light show and many festive beverages to enjoy.

For all the details, start here.

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.

Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)

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

Mlkmn, - Use code CCRAMlkmn to receive free membership

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)

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