This Week: March 2, 2023

Editor – Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer – Richard Vaughn

Design/Layout and Writer – Travis Oliver

Guest Writers – Gisele Kahlon and Brynja Maravich

When Your Teams Make the Playoffs

It’s a special time when a city’s pro sports teams make deep runs through the playoffs and into the Championships as did the Phillies, the Union and the Eagles.

 

People put it down as “just sports”, but it’s more than that. It’s part of a city’s character, its personality, its karma, sometimes even its destiny. It can make a big difference in how other cities see us, and how we see ourselves.

 

In an article on the Super Bowl, the Wall Street Journal called Philadelphia a “proud” city. Well, there ya go.

 

Be proud. We’ve earned it. As we move into a new era with a new Mayor and a new City Council, let’s throw off the old yoke of negativity and puff out our chests and demand excellence.

 

Why Not Us?

CCRA News and Events

CCRA Public Zoning Committee

CCRA held its monthly zoning committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 28. Visit here to read the report. If you missed the meeting, click here and subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch up. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 28.

CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

DiBruno’s Hits “Pause” on CCRA Members Discount

All good things must come to an end or, in the case of DiBruno’s CCRA Member Discount, suspended temporarily. Citing rising operating costs, the beloved food emporium regretfully announces that its community discount program will be suspended as of March 6.

 

What to do? Why, show the Love, of course! Patronize our friends as never before! Discount or not, DiBruno’s is the place!

Clean, Safe and Green

Throwin’ Shade: Plans Released for City’s Increased Tree Canopy

It’s no longer just talk; late last month the City released its 10-year roadmap for the City’s “urban forest”. The first-ever strategic plan, it includes dozens of recommendations re the planting, maintenance and preservation of trees, the idea being to get each neighborhood to 30% tree cover within 30 years. Leaf through the details here.

Cherry Blossoms in Winter?

No, your eyes don’t deceive you. You may have seen the white buds in the early stages of blooming cherry blossoms, an indicator of warmer days ahead. However, the unpredictable temperatures can turn the beautiful pink flowers into a muddy brown.


Not to fret; these trees blossom at different times and the peak viewing dates remain in our future. The best indicator? Philly trees usually follow a few weeks after a warmer Washington DC. Read about the early blooms and where you can view the trees here.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Cross-Generational South African Dialogue Debuts at the Barnes

Three decades after the dismantling of apartheid began, the generation born during the transition to democracy has reached adulthood. The implications for artists is made clear in “Tell Me What You Remember”, a cross-generational exhibit at the Barnes featuring South African artists Sue Williamson and Lebohang Kganye. Much more on this most compelling show can be found here.

Women's History Month: Women-Owned Businesses

March is Women’s History Month, and what better time to celebrate women and their vital roles in our neighborhood than now? Honor women this month by learning about their contributions to the country from women in history like Rosa Parks and Susan B. Anthony to your barista, your sommelier or your stylist.


Celebrate this month by supporting women-owned businesses in the area like Joan Shepp, Cork and Cook and The Bakeshop on Twentieth.

Travel Thru History Via the

African American Historical Bus Tour

While Philadelphia takes a back seat to no City when it comes to both Black history and American history, you’ll want a front seat on the Tuesday, March 7 African American Historical Bus Tour originating at WHYY at 11am. With no fewer than 18 stops at historical monuments and locations along the way, you’ll hear about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, the Quaker abolitionists and much, much more. Tickets and info here.

Join CCRA Now

Community News and Events

Book It: The Stacks are Back on Weekends

Good news for weekend bibliophiles and well, everyone: After a three-year hiatus, Saturday hours are back at ten Free Library branches.


Thanks to a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office and Library leadership, some branches will now be open Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. For all the details and the branches affected, go here.

Unplug During Lunch on Friday, March 3

Have you been wanting a change of scenery during your lunch break? Look no further because this Friday, March 3, the Kimmel Center is opening their plaza and is welcoming you in to enjoy free live performances by emerging local artists.


This week The Oliver Mayman Trio will be serving up jazz from 11 am - 1 pm. Come alone or invite a friend. Bring your lunch and head to the Kimmel Center. Be prepared to be transported on a journey through the Great American Songbook. Register for this free event here.

RBG: Free Public Screening

Beginning Monday, March 13, join the Philadelphia Commission for Women and Philadelphia NOW for a virtual screening of RBG, a documentary exploring the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Register here.

Art Museum Features Performance by Artist Bingyi this Saturday

The Art Museum presents a performance by fine artist Bingyi this Saturday, March 4 at 11 am when the Beijing and Los Angeles-based artist creates and talks about a new work of art responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Her monumental immersive ink installation The Eye of Chaos was created in the mountains of Henan province during the pandemic and is currently on view in the Chinese Reception Hall, Gallery 326. Details may be found here.

Open House at Greene Towne

Come one, come all! Greene Towne Montessori School is hosting an open house on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9 a.m. at their new home, 55 N. 22nd Street, Philadelphia!


Bring the kids for a fun-filled morning with tours of the classrooms, crafts and activities for toddlers and pre-schoolers. For more information, click here.

Useful links

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.


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

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

12th Street Catering, 3312 Spring Garden St (215-386-8595)

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

City Fitness, 2101 South St & 1819 JFK Blvd (609-254-9048) 

Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St (215-665-9220) - Temporarily Suspended beginning March 6, 2023

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

Loews Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market St (215-627-1200)

Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 S. Broad St (215-893-1900)

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

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)



CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner.

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